FIA is going to punish ignoring blue flags harder: "We've discussed this before"

With the big differences between the different teams it happens every time that the cars in midfield are a lap behind the cars in front. When a blue flag is shown the slower drivers are obliged to let the faster car pass.

According to the race management, Perez and Kvyat didn't do that fast enough, while it has been agreed with the drivers that they will pay close attention. "It's something we already discussed during the driver's meeting after the Austrian Grand Prix. During the meeting we decided that there will be a crackdown on ignoring blue flags this year," said Race Director Michael Masi to RaceFans.net.

Team bosses happy with penalties

"This is the first time we have seen that the two cars in question, the two that have been punished, should have let the other car through at the first opportunity. There is a degree of discretion in the rules to allow reasonable elements with the other cars, but these two were both clearly excessive and have therefore been referred to the stewards," explained Masi.

Sergio Perez disagreed with that explanation and called his time penalty unfair. According to Masi, that opinion does not apply to different team bosses in the paddock. "I've had team bosses up and down the pitlane ring me to say they're very happy that drivers are being punished for ignoring blue flags", the Race Director concludes.