FIA reach verdict after Lance Stroll non-attendance at Spanish GP fan activity
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll.
Lance Stroll went to see the FIA after an alleged breach of the sporting regulations, for “non-attendance at [a] fan engagement activity” in Barcelona.
The Aston Martin driver saw the stewards with a team representative after an alleged breach of Article 19.2(c) of the sporting regulations, in which drivers have to be made available for fan engagement prior to FP1, and the result was a team reprimand for Aston Martin, after Stroll had a medical appointment.
Aston Martin reprimanded after Lance Stroll misses fan obligations
Drivers are contractually obliged to take part in fan and marketing engagement activities through their deals with their respective teams, as well as through Formula 1 and the FIA.
As a result, Stroll was called to the stewards for his reported non-attendance as required by the regulations in Barcelona.
The relevant regulation states: “Within a one (1) hour period finishing no later than one and a half (1.5) hours prior to the scheduled start of P1, ten (10) drivers must be available for fan engagement activities for a maximum period of thirty (30) minutes each (this window includes the time required to travel to and return from the fan activity) within the one (1) hour period.”
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But after their meeting, the stewards stated Stroll was having a doctor’s appointment at the same time as the fan activity, so a reprimand was handed to the team for not getting the appropriate exemption.
The verdict from the stewards said: “The driver stated that he was having an appointment with his doctor at the time of the fan activity due to some health issues arising this morning. This was confirmed by the team.
“The team representative explained that they informed the Media Delegate as soon as possible but the timeline to do so was very tight.
“Whilst the Stewards have sympathy for the driver seeking immediate medical attention in case of any health issues, they also note that the due process in such a case is to contact the Chief Medial Officer and/or the Medical Delegate and to ask for a medical exemption for not attending the fan activity as prescribed in Article 19.2 c) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
“Considering the circumstances, the Stewards determine that a reprimand to the team for not following the due process to seek a medical exemption is appropriate.”
On track, the Canadian finished 14th in FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix, around 1.2 seconds off the pace set by McLaren driver Lando Norris in the first hour of running of the weekend.
Read next: 2024 Spanish Grand Prix – Free Practice 1 results (Barcelona)
