Mercedes achieved their best result of the 2023 season at the Spanish GP, but their weekend still ended on a sour note. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished P2 and P3 respectively, without any problems but a mistake made by their physiotherapists, landed Mercedes a $10,678 fine.
After the Spanish Grand Prix concluded, fans got to know that Mercedes was being investigated for an alleged breach of regulations. Initially, they were worried that Hamilton or Russell would have their podium finishes taken away, but soon they got to know that it wasn’t the drivers who were at fault.
After Hamilton and Russell’s triumphant finish, the Mercedes physios failed to follow the instructions of the post-race procedure. The FIA couldn’t let this slide, and the Silver Arrows had to pay up, because of this unusual rule.
Why did Mercedes have to pay a fine of $10,678?
As explained in a YouTube video by The Race, only certain people from F1 teams are allowed in Parc Fermé after the conclusion of a race. The team mechanics, FIA officials, winning drivers and selected reporters are granted access to this particular area.
The physiotherapists or other medical personnel meanwhile, are supposed to wait behind the cool-down room until the podium celebrations are over. Hamilton and Russell’s physios failed to follow this particular rule in Barcelona. Of course, the FIA didn’t impose any sporting penalty on the two drivers but gave a hefty fine to Mercedes.
The reason Mercedes had to pay the full amount was because they breached the exact same rules last year in Austria. The Silver Arrows had a suspended $10,678 handed out at the time, but this time in Barcelona, they had to pay up front.
Mercedes didn’t protest the decision, and seemingly agreed with what the FIA had to say. Thankfully for them, their double podium finish led by Hamilton and Russell was unaffected.
Things looking bright for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Neither physiotherapists had to pay the $10,678 fine themselves, as Mercedes was the team they were representing. Nevertheless, for a team that is valued at more than $1,000,000,000, paying such a small amount won’t be of any problem.
On the bright side, Mercedes are looking strong after bringing in their latest upgrades. Hamilton and Russell brought home Mercedes’ first double podium of the season, becoming the only team after Red Bull to do so.
It was a statement victory for them, which took them 18 points ahead of Aston Martin in the constructors’ championship standings. In the races to come, the battle for P2 is expected to heat up, with Aston Martin and Ferrari looking to get the most out of their upgrades too.
