Sergio Perez was given a three-place grid penalty following a block incident in qualifying.
Red Bull and Haas team principals went to meet race stewards at 6pm Australian time due to an accident that occurred in Q1 at Albert Park.
Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg battle on the track during Q1
Just three minutes into the first part of qualifying, Mexican Nico Hulkenberg was preparing for the first flying lap of the session when he ran into the slow Red Bull of Sergio Perez. Was.
Encountering the Red Bull at the penultimate corner, Hulkenberg appeared to be intercepted by Perez, attracting the attention of the stewards, who called both drivers to the front to explain their views on the incident.
After a meeting with the two drivers, the stewards ruled that Perez had blocked Hulkenberg, giving the Red Bull driver a three-place grid demotion and demoting him to sixth on the grid.
“Hulkenberg was running a fast lap when he came into Turn 13,” Steward said.
“Perez, who was on his outlap, came to the top of the turn and Hulkenberg had to leave the racing line to run around him.
“Hulkenberg was forced to throttle early and brake early heading into the corner.
“Upon reviewing the audio from Perez's car, the stewards observed that the team was concentrating on the car in front of Perez, which had just slowed down, and that until one second before Hulkenberg arrived, the stewards had no idea that Hulkenberg was behind him. I observed what I didn't warn you about. It's too late to avoid Hulkenberg's interference.
“Stewards have assessed the dynamic situation faced by teams and drivers during the Q1 session as explained at the hearing, but have determined that Perez 'unnecessarily interfered' with Hulkenberg, Similarly, he was demoted three grid positions.
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Although Hulkenberg did not advance to Q2, he suspected that Perez's block was the deciding factor, and did not seem too upset about the situation afterwards.
“He didn't look in the mirror,” Hulkenberg told the media after the session.
“The exit speed from around Turn 12 is very high. If you're not careful enough, it can happen very easily and quickly. Of course, that shouldn't happen.”
Perez and Hulkenberg were one of two incidents Australian stewards deemed worthy of attention from qualifying. Alpine's Pierre Gasly was also investigated for crossing the white line separating the pit lane exit from the track, resulting in the French driver receiving his first driving disciplinary action of the season.
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