Sergio Perez penalized for impeding: Charles Leclerc to start from P4 | 2024 Australian GP. Charles Leclerc to start the Australian GP from P4 amid Sergio Perez penalty.

Sergio Perez was found guilty of impeding Nico Hulkenberg during the Australian GP qualifying. As a result, he has been penalized with a loss of 3 grid positions for the first GP he will participate in.

Max Verstappen is smiling, while Sergio Perez is kicking himself. At Red Bull, the drivers’ moods are polar opposites: the Dutchman secured his third pole position of the season today, the least expected one. The Mexican, however, after clinching third place, received a penalty from the Australian Grand Prix race stewards for impeding Nico Hulkenberg.

After reviewing footage, data, team radio, and the positions of the two protagonists, race stewards Tim Mayer, Matteo Perini, Matthew Selley, and Johnny Herbert decided to impose a penalty of 3 lost grid positions on Sergio Perez.

The Red Bull Mexican driver obstructed Nico Hulkenberg while he was on his flying lap during Q1 of the Australian Grand Prix qualifying, the third event of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.

The two met in turn 13, where Perez, remaining on the racing line, forced his colleague to lift off and change trajectory to avoid him while proceeding slowly.

This resulted in Perez violating Article 37.5 of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, automatically leading to a 3-position grid drop at the first grand prix Sergio will participate in. Thus, barring unforeseen events, this will apply to tomorrow’s race.

Perez was outmaneuvered by his team, which, at the moment Hulkenberg approached turn 13, was focused on the cars ahead of their own driver, not those behind. The message from the Red Bull pit wall to Perez arrived just 1 second before the Haas driver reached him from behind: too little time to avoid impeding.

Therefore, Sergio Perez will be forced to lose three grid positions. This moves him from third to sixth place. This means that Lando Norris moves up from fourth to third place, while Charles Leclerc is promoted to the second row alongside the British McLaren driver.

Oscar Piastri also gains a position, moving up to fifth, but will have to share the third row with Sergio Perez, who will be eager to make amends after the mistake made in Q1 of today’s Australian Grand Prix qualifying.