The new Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne was rediscovered by Formula 1 drivers as they hit the track for the first two free practice sessions on Friday ahead of the 2022 Australian Grand Prix and it is no surprise that from the very first minute of FP1 practically all the drivers took to the track to get a first feeling of the recent changes. But the track remains narrow, and therefore there were moments of tension this morning, with Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll among the protagonists. The Spaniard impeded Alfa Romeo’s Guanyu Zhou at turn 14 and, after hearing the stewards, the Ferrari driver received a reprimand, the first of the 2022 Formula 1 season.
The jury of stewards nominated for the 2022 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park – Gerd Ennser, Enrique Bernoldi, Dennis Dean and Matt Selley – also decided to call Lewis Hamilton and Lance Stroll at 5.30pm local time to clarify a controversial episode of impeding occurred after the first five minutes of activity in FP2 at turn 13 (the penultimate). However, no communications have arrived on a possible sanction against the seven-time world champion and the Canadian.
At the same time, Sebastian Vettel has been fined €5,000 for riding a scooter back to the pit lane following his on-track stoppage during FP1 in Melbourne. The former Ferrari driver waited until after the chequered flag to return to the Aston Martin garage, using a moped to transport himself back.
Leave a Reply