In addition to two 5s time penalties, Sergio Perez received 4 penalty points for his various misdemeanours during today's Grand Prix.

The Mexican's first penalty was for overtaking Fernando Alonso before they entered the pitlane under the Safety Car, for which he was hit with a 5s time penalty and 2 penalty points.

The second was for causing a collision whilst trying to overtake Kevin Magnussen.

The Mexican made the move on the inside of Turn 11 and in the process hit the Haas causing it to spin.

The stewards determined that Perez was predominately to blame, for having applied the 2023 Driving Standards Guidelines for overtaking on the inside of a corner, it was noted that there was no significant portion of the Red Bull alongside the Haas and therefore the Mexican was not entitled to racing room in the corner.

"Perez did not manage to do the overtaking manoeuvre in a safe and controlled manner," deemed the stewards as they handed him another 5s time penalty and two more penalty points.

As a result of his various incidents, which began almost the moment the race got underway, having forced Lewis Hamilton on to the grass in a bid to avoid the Ferraris, Perez eventually retired due to accident damage.

However, almost 40 minutes later the Mexican was sent back out in order that he might serve his second penalty today rather than in Qatar.

"He got off to a bad start," said Christian Horner. "He got sort of pin-balled on the way down to Turn 1. That was unlucky for he had damage, I think it was with Lewis, and broke the front wing.

"He passed Fernando on the way in under the Safety Car, picked up another penalty, goes out, and was a little bit too optimistic, probably out of frustration trying to pass Magnussen," explained the Red Bull boss. "That meant another front wing and steering damage.

"The only decent thing we managed to get out of today was not carrying a penalty through into the next race in Qatar," added Horner, referring to the decision to send Perez out for one more 'race' lap after which he pitted and served his penalty rather than forfeit grid positions next time out.

"He'd already done one front wing and a wheel hub and whatever," sighed Horner. "I haven't seen a complete damage report but it's possible that there could have been other damage."

Today's points bring the Mexican's total for the 12 months to 7, a further 5 points within the 12 month period would mean an automatic race ban.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 26/09/2023 15:25

"I think we're supposed to gasp in admiration at Horner's cunning ruse.
I guess it must have been "legal" but definitely weird. Even weirder is why they bother: some other poor mug will soon be Verstappen's team"mate" and have to endure being the butt of Horner & Marko's ire when they fail to thrive.."

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2. Posted by Superbird70, 25/09/2023 17:27

"Do the penalty points carry over when Perez joins Williams?"

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3. Posted by Chester, 25/09/2023 14:50

"Sports is 90% mental, at least the ones that are 100% human. I think Perez is carrying the weight of being Verstappen's team-mate. And I think he will rebound at the three races in the western hemisphere where he has a lot of fan support.

Austin is close to a home race for him. I marvel at how many Checo shirts are sold and worn there. One example last year was $150 USD. Not sure I've ever seen one more expensive.

"

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4. Posted by Pavlo, 25/09/2023 6:05

"@Dirt: I totally agree with you but the sport is based on the rules, and RB played exactly by the rules.
I see way bigger problem that 5s is way to light and inappropriate penalty, and even more inappropriate that it effect hugely depends on the position of the offending driver."

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5. Posted by Dirt, 25/09/2023 0:03

"@Pavlo: In my opinion Red Bull had no business sending Perez out again to serve a 5 sec time penalty to avoid a Qatar grid penalty after he'd already been retired. It really laughs in the face of the penalty system since the 5 sec time penalty, as it was served, was absolutely meaningless."

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6. Posted by Pavlo, 24/09/2023 21:30

"@Wokingchap: the sporting rules explicitly say „any car abandoned on a circuit by it‘s driver… shall be considered as withdrawn“, so the only question is if the garage is considered „a circuit“. There is no time-limit at all, so if in principle a driver is allowed to leave and rejoin the car in the garage, then FIA was not in a position to prohibit anything. Even if it looked weird."

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7. Posted by Wokingchap, 24/09/2023 19:59

"I don't understand why Perez was allowed to return to the race after a retirement....... especially after 40 minutes."

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8. Posted by Bill Hopgood, 24/09/2023 18:58

"At this rate of penalty accumulation, we might just see Lawson back in F1 after Ricciardo returns."

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9. Posted by Pavlo, 24/09/2023 16:45

"I would be happy to see some gradations of penalties. It’s bad that Sergeant made a mistake, but he did it when being clearly in front and defending his position, so he didn’t control the car later when he hit Bottas (who could/should have avoided the collision seeing obviously uncontrolled car).
Perez instead did a standard hitting the back wheel of the car in front, which is a guaranteed way to pass the car in front, which rotates and loses way more than 5s.
Would be fair to give different penalties for these."

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10. Posted by VC10-1103, 24/09/2023 14:33

"IMO unless Chico’s car was being actively and continuously worked on for those 40 mins he shouldn’t have been allowed back on to the circuit."

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11. Posted by Mad Matt, 24/09/2023 14:14

"Can't really complain given the damage he caused, he probably deserved a grid drop for the next race... although I can understand his frustration.

I was also a bit surprised Lewis wasn't penalised for forcing George off, Lewis didn't like it when Max did that to him in Brazil.

Then there was Charles getting away with passing George off the track, not really consistent with other penalties we've seen handed out this year...

Finally, while Logan clearly messed up (again, some might say) I don't know why Valtteri would try to go round a locked up car on the outside....

"

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Perez hit with 4 penalty points

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