TALKING POINT RACING INCIDENT
Full statement from FIA race stewards :
The incident concerned started when Car 6 dropped into an incorrect power mode , as set by the driver prior to the start . This created a significant power differential between Car 6 and Car 44 at the exit of Turn 3 coming onto the straight , resulting in as much as a 17kph speed difference between the two cars on the straight . Car 6 moved to the right to defend his position , as is his right under Art 27.7 of the Sporting regulations .
Simultaneously Car 44 as the significantly faster car with , at that time , apparent space on the inside , moved to make the pass . Art 27.7 requires the leading driver to leave room , if there is a “ significant portion ” of the car attempting to pass alongside . Car 44 had a portion of his front wing inside Car 6 small fractions of a second prior to Car 44 having to leave the right side of the track to avoid an initial collision , which may have led him to believe he had the right to space on the right . Once on the grass on the side of the track Car 44 was no longer in control of the situation .
Having heard extensively from both drivers and from the team , the Stewards determined that Car 6 had the right to make the maneuver that he did and that Car 44 ’ s attempt to overtake was reasonable , and that the convergence of events led neither driver to be wholly or predominantly at fault , and therefore take no further action .