Mercedes Under FIA Investigation for Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying Breach

Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli face potential penalties as the FIA has launched an investigation into a procedural breach during Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying. The team reportedly failed to submit critical set-up sheets for both cars, a direct violation of Formula 1's Sporting Regulations.

Why it matters:

This investigation, though seemingly minor, highlights the FIA's strict adherence to procedural rules, even in an exhibition event like the Las Vegas Grand Prix. For Mercedes, any penalty could impact their standing and potentially set an unfavorable precedent, especially as they navigate a challenging period in their competitive performance. For the drivers, a penalty could affect their individual records and, in Antonelli's case, tarnish an early appearance in an F1 car.

The Details:

• FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer noted that Mercedes had not submitted the required set-up sheets for either car by 8:12 PM during qualifying.
• This non-compliance directly violates Article 40.1 of the 2025 Formula One Sporting Regulations.
• Article 40.1 mandates that "Each Competitor must provide the Technical Delegate with a suspension set-up sheet for both of their cars before each of them leaves the pit lane for the first time during the sprint qualifying session and the qualifying session."
• The matter has been referred to the stewards for their consideration, indicating a formal review and potential sanctions.

What's next:

The stewards will now review the evidence and hear from the Mercedes team before deciding on a course of action. Penalties could range from a reprimand to a grid drop or even disqualification from the qualifying session, depending on the severity of the perceived breach and the stewards' interpretation of the regulations. This incident serves as a reminder that even the most established teams are not immune to the strict rules governing Formula 1 operations.