Ferrari’s post-race protest of race winner Sergio Perez and podium finisher Max Verstappen was dismissed by the FIA stewards in Monaco.
Both Red Bull drivers allegedly crossed the pit exit line as they rejoined the race following their separate pit stops in the initial part of the race, according to the Italian outfit.
The actions were not reviewed by the stewards during the race, but a post-race examination found that neither had crossed the yellow line at the pit exit.
Officials ruled that the Scuderia’s protest of Perez was “unfounded,” because “no part of Car 11’s front or rear tyres were on the left of the yellow line.”
In the case of Verstappen’s alleged violation, Red Bull successfully argued that his car remained on the right-hand side of the line, as required by the FIA’s International Sporting Code, concluding that he was not in violation of the rules.
The stewards agreed with Red Bull’s reasoning, declaring that “at the pit exit, a car’must not cross’ the line,” according to Article 5 c) of Chapter IV of Appendix L of the ISC.
“In this case, the car did not “cross” the line – to do so it would have needed to have a full wheel to the left of the yellow line,” the stewards said.
“Accordingly the driver did not breach the relevant section of the Code and this takes precedent over any interpretation of the notes. The protest is therefore dismissed and the protest Fee is forfeited.”
