FIA Stewards Issue Double Penalty for Bortoleto After Las Vegas Lap 1 Incident

Gabriel Bortoleto has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the Qatar Grand Prix and two penalty points on his Super Licence after clattering into Lance Stroll on Lap 1 of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This incident follows a similar clash between the two drivers in Brazil, though that one went unpunished.

Why it matters:

This penalty for Bortoleto, just one race after a previous incident with Stroll, highlights the FIA's increasing scrutiny of aggressive driving, especially on the opening lap. For a driver looking to establish himself, accumulating penalties and penalty points can hinder future prospects and damage a reputation for clean racing.

The Details:

• Las Vegas Collision: Bortoleto, starting P18, attempted an aggressive move up the inside at Turn 1 on Lap 1, braking too late and colliding with Stroll's Aston Martin.
• Immediate Impact: Stroll was forced to retire immediately, while Bortoleto's car was also out of the race by Lap 2.
• Stewards' Ruling: The FIA stewards deemed Bortoleto entirely at fault, stating he "braked extremely late" and that "mitigating circumstances do not exist" despite it being a Lap 1, Turn 1 incident.
• Penalty Conversion: Since Bortoleto retired from the Las Vegas race, the standard 10-second in-race penalty was converted into a five-place grid penalty for the next event he participates in – the Qatar Grand Prix.
• Super Licence Points: In addition to the grid drop, Bortoleto also received two penalty points on his Super Licence.
• Brazil Incident Context: Just one race prior, in Brazil, Stroll squeezed Bortoleto, leading to contact that sent Bortoleto into a wall. Stewards took no action then, and Bortoleto himself called it a "racing incident," but the repeated clashes between the two add a layer of tension.

What's next:

Bortoleto will face a five-place grid drop at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix, making his race significantly more challenging from the outset. Accumulating penalty points also brings him closer to a potential race ban if he reaches 12 points within a 12-month period. This incident serves as a clear warning to all drivers about the consequences of overly aggressive moves, particularly in the chaotic opening moments of a race.