Gasly referred to FIA stewards for exceeding fuel flow

Pierre Gasly is set to face the FIA race stewards for the second time at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after exceeding the maximum fuel flow permitted during his Q1 lap in qualifying.

The Red Bull driver has already been slapped with a pit lane start after failing to go to the FIA weighbridge at the end of FP2 when instructed by race officials.

Gasly could be set for a second hearing with the FIA stewards having broken F1 rules by exceeding the maximum fuel flow of 100 kg/h during Q1 in qualifying in Baku.

“During the qualifying session 1 at 17:13hrs car number 10, driver Pierre Gasly, had exceeded the maximum allowed fuel mass flow of 100 kg/h when doing the fastest lap,” an FIA statement from technical delegate Jo Bauer stated. “As this is not in compliance with Article 5.1.4 of the 2019 Formula 1 Technical Regulations, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

It remains unclear what punishment Gasly could face from the FIA stewards given he will already start from the pit lane in Baku, with an offical hearing set to take place at 2215 local time.

Gasly has already effectively avoided a further penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change, which usually carries a five-place grid drop, but with the Red Bull driver starting from the pit lane it means the penalty doesn’t carry any significant punishment.