Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll received authorization from the FIA stewards to participate in the Formula 1 Australian GP, even though they did not meet the 107% rule during the qualifying session in Melbourne.
Read more F1: Leclerc recognizes Mercedes’ superiority and downplays advantage at starts
Verstappen suffered an accident on his very first fast lap of Q1. When braking for Turn 1, the rear axle of his Red Bull Racing car suddenly locked up, causing him to lose control, slide through the gravel, and collide with the wall. As a result, the Dutch driver did not record a valid time and was eliminated from the session. Normally, this would prevent participation in the race. Red Bull, however, submitted a special request to the stewards so that Verstappen could compete.
The FIA agreed, highlighting that the Dutchman had recorded representative times during free practice, authorizing him to participate in the race. As a result, Verstappen will start from the back of the grid on Sunday in Melbourne.
Sainz, from Williams, also received the stewards’ approval. Despite not completing the qualifying session within the 107% limit of the fastest lap, the performance shown in free practice was also sufficient for him to be authorized to start.
Read more F1: Hamilton warns of Mercedes’ «extra power»
Stroll’s situation, from Aston Martin, was slightly different. The Canadian driver did not participate in the qualifying session due to an oil line problem in his car. The team chose not to take risks, performing a more detailed inspection of the vehicle. Aston Martin explained to the stewards that teammate Fernando Alonso’s car managed to meet the 107% rule and highlighted Stroll’s experience, having already participated in 178 Formula 1 GPs. The stewards considered the arguments valid and allowed his participation in the race.
With this, the three drivers, even without meeting the 107% rule in the qualifying session, are cleared to race in the Australian GP on Sunday.
Read more F1: Reason for Verstappen’s qualifying crash explained
