Masi explains: 'This is why Verstappen, Bottas and Perez didn't get a penalty'

At the Paul Ricard circuit, there is a lot of space close to the track, which screams track limits. This was something that was stressed beforehand and during the race, people paid a lot of attention to it. Race director Michael Masi says to Motorsport.com that the first situation was already a fact after the start. This was the situation in which Max Verstappen went outside the track.

"The situation was looked at, as well as the place where he shot off the track. Physically it was impossible to follow the prescribed route. That route is based on what has in the past been the most common place where drivers have gone off track in Turn 1. The moment was reviewed and it was judged that he clearly went off the gas, lost a position and returned to the track safely. As a result, no further action was required."

Bottas gets away well in the same way

Because it wasn't just the Dutchman that happened. Valtteri Bottas also went off track for a moment, in Turn 4. Again, however, no action was taken. "That moment was looked at immediately. Considering where Valtteri went off track, he chose the safest option. He lost a significant amount of time and returned to the track in a safe manner. Therefore, no action was taken. It was however noted as one of his three cautions before he would be shown a black and white flag. In the rest of the race, he didn't make any more mistakes."

Perez also gets no penalty

Finally, the situation regarding Perez, to which the FIA had also reacted earlier. Now Masi has also commented on the matter. In the closing stages of the race, there was a duel between the Mexican and Bottas, where Perez briefly went off the track during his overtaking manoeuvre. This too was condoned.

"It was judged that he had already completed the overtaking action at the moment Sergio went off the track. The stewards judged that he gave back any time gained immediately afterwards so they didn't think any further action was necessary. We can compare it to the incident in Bahrain earlier this year, where Max overtook another car outside the track. Therefore, he should have given the spot back there. Those were two completely different situations."

So in the end, all three situations were looked at and it was concluded that no one deserved a penalty based on the events and the rules.