Standard proceedings for this kind of offence typically result in disqualification from the qualifying rounds, as was the case with Alex Albon during last year’s Australian GP.
Bottas halted on the track during Q1, citing a lack of power, but he had already secured his advancement to Q2 in 11th position. He couldn’t participate in the subsequent session, and without setting a time, he ranked 15th after the event.
However, an inspection by the FIA post-session revealed that the fuel quantity in the car did not meet the compulsory requirement of having one litre of fuel remaining for testing.
The FIA also estimates the amount of fuel that would have been expended to return to the pits when a car ceases on the track during qualifying. Unlike the case at the end of races, cars are obligated to return under their own propulsion.
The FIA’s technical delegate, Jo Bauer, noted: “Upon inspection of car number 77 after today’s qualifying session, it was determined that a 1-litre fuel sample plus the quantity of fuel required to drive back to the pits could be taken (technical regulations article 6.5.2). A 0.090 litre sample was possible to be taken.
“Given that the fuel quantity required to obtain a 1-litre sample and return the car to the garage was estimated as 2.39 litre, I have referred this issue to the stewards for review.”
If Bottas’s exclusion as an Alfa driver is ratified, he would be starting from the rear of the grid, promoting Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu, Nyck de Vries, and Kevin Magnussen.
Photo by: Michael Potts / F1 Flow Images
When queried by F1 Flow.com regarding the issue in qualifying, Bottas expressed uncertainty as to why the car halted.
“Not yet,” he remarked. “We need to investigate. There can obviously be many reasons that can cause the engine to stop. So I don’t know. It’s regrettable, but there’s not much I can do about it.
“I didn’t actually see the final time from Q2 I don’t know how much I was off from the cut-off, but we did make it to Q2 this time, and it’s remarkably close.
“We seem to have made progress since yesterday. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how the pace is.”
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Bottas confirmed that the recent upgrade package has enhanced the car’s performance: “It’s a step forward. I can definitely feel the improvement, and I think we managed to extract a bit more with the setup today. It looks like it required a different setup in terms of ride height and everything else.
“So now, it feels like a positive change, more high-speed load essentially, without impacting the low-speed performance.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bottas Disqualification
Why is Bottas facing possible disqualification from F1 British GP Qualifying?
Bottas is facing possible disqualification due to insufficient fuel in his car during the qualifying rounds. The FIA, post-session, discovered that his car didn’t meet the mandatory requirement of having one litre of fuel remaining for testing.
Who was the last driver to face a similar offence?
Alex Albon was the last driver to face a similar offence during last year’s Australian GP.
What happens if Bottas’s exclusion is confirmed?
If Bottas’s exclusion as an Alfa driver is ratified, he would start from the back of the grid. This would result in drivers like Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu, Nyck de Vries, and Kevin Magnussen gaining places.
What does Bottas say about the issue?
When asked about the issue, Bottas expressed uncertainty as to why the car had stopped during qualifying. He stated that there could be many reasons for the engine to stop and it needs to be investigated.
Has there been any improvement in Bottas’s car recently?
Yes, Bottas confirmed that the latest upgrade package has enhanced the car’s performance. He noted a visible step forward and mentioned that the car required a different setup in terms of ride height and everything else.
5 comments
wow, major shakeup for the grid if bottas starts at the back. lets see how this plays out!
feel bad for bottas. sounds like a technical issue not his fault but still he’s the one who gets hit.
bottas is a pro, hes gonna turn this setback into a comeback. just watch!
FIA rules are there for a reason, all teams should stick to them, including Alfa Romeo. it’s a shame but we need a fair competition
whaaat? Bottas disqualified? thats a major blow for him and the team. Hope they can recover from this setback!