F1 race director Masi explains why Perez was penalised
F1 race director Michael Masi says he does not understand why Sergio Perez was upset at the French Grand Prix over his lap one penalty for gaining positions by cutting a corner.

Perez was handed a five-second penalty at Paul Ricard for having gained an advantage when he cut across the run-off areas at Turns 3 and 4 on the opening lap of the race.
Read Also:
The Mexican was especially annoyed because he had gone around the track limits bollard as the rules demanded.
But the FIA was unhappy because Perez rejoined ahead of cars that had been in front of him when he entered the corner, and therefore was deemed to have gained a lasting advantage.
In race notes sent to teams before the French Grand Prix, Masi had made it clear that even if drivers go around the track limits bollard, "the driver must only rejoin the track when it is safe to do so and without gaining a lasting advantage."
Asked by Motorsport.com after the race about the situation, Masi said that following the Monaco Grand Prix, drivers had asked the FIA to punish anyone who gained places in this way.
"The overriding point is that when someone rejoins, they must first rejoin safely and two must not gain a lasting advantage," explained Masi.
"In looking at the in-car [footage] particularly, when you look at Lance Stroll's, who was immediately behind him, Sergio's locked up, chosen to go to the left and bypass the bollard and has come out in front of [Alex] Albon and [Kevin] Magnussen.
"That was part of a discussion that was actually had following Monaco at a drivers' meeting, where the drivers requested that they need to be behind effectively who they entered [the corner behind]."
Masi clarified that no instruction had been given to Perez to give the positions back because drivers had also requested that in the event of one of them gaining positions, that they only be advised of problems that happen at the very first corner.
"It was an open discussion with them in Canada and they all said: you need to draw the line somewhere and once we get out of that [first] sequence, where it is what it is, we will live with that decision," he said.
Masi said the only way that Perez could have avoided a penalty would have been in quickly giving up the places he had gained voluntarily.
"If Sergio had chosen coming out of Turn 6 to drop back behind those two cars, I think we would have looked at it and said he has created his own disadvantage actually," added Masi.

Previous article
Hamilton ignored instruction not to go for fastest lap
Next article
Debate: Do you agree with Perez's lap one penalty?

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Event | French GP |
Drivers | Sergio Perez |
Teams | Racing Point |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
F1 race director Masi explains why Perez was penalised
Trending
Jon Noble on the Bottas-Russell clash
Emilia Romagna race report
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
How "overwhelming" McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping .
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is no guarantee.