The FIA press conference with the drivers before each race started this Thursday at the Austrian GP With Charles Leclerc, Logan Sargeant, Yuki Tsunoda and Guanyu Zhou, just four protagonists. The big absence was Max Verstappen, also called up, but absent at the start of the conference.
The presenter revealed that Verstappen was going to be a little late but that he would make it, and in the end the three-time world champion missed the first 15 minutes, creating great expectation for his return.
The FIA noted what happened and began to investigate it, as it is a mandatory requirement for the drivers called up to attend this press conference, and there was a breach of article 19.1 a) of the Sporting Regulations. However, on Friday morning and before the cars and drivers went out on track for the first and only free practice session, they announced that there was no sanction, neither sporting nor financial, but also no reprimand, for the Red Bull driver.
The stewards claimed that there were problems with traffic and access to the track on the first day of the Grand Prix and that Red Bull had given warning in good time, so they pardoned Verstappen. The statement read as follows:
“The Stewards received a report from the Media Delegate that the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen) was late for Thursday’s press conference.”
“The Media Delegate reported that the driver had some transport problems on the road on the way to the track, but the team informed the FIA in advance. The Stewards conclude that the driver and the team took all reasonable measures given the circumstances and therefore do not impose any penalty even though technically the rules have been violated.”
Article 19.1 a of the Regulations, on press conferences, media engagements and other pilot activities, states in section a):
“All drivers must be available to take part in official media sessions and promotional activities (as defined by the Media Delegate) for a maximum duration of 30 minutes during a two-hour period, commencing 23 hours before the scheduled start of P1. Any driver not taking part in an official FIA Press Conference (as designated by the Media Delegate) must take part in a separate press session organised by his team.”
When he finally sat down and took the microphone, the journalist said: “It’s good to see you, Max,” before asking him what he would think about motorsport being Olympic.
“No, it’s not for me. It’s too much about the car. I don’t know, it’s probably also the same with racing. We didn’t grow up in that kind of Olympic environment, so to be honest, it’s not for me, I wouldn’t fancy it, I don’t think we belong on the Olympic stage. And that’s fine because we have our own championship, which I think is very welcome. And I enjoy watching the Olympics on TV,” he replied, without referring to his late arrival.
