Both Audi drivers, Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, are under FIA investigation following separate incidents during Free Practice 3 (FP3) at the United States Grand Prix. These investigations compound significant grid penalties already confirmed for Bortoleto and two other drivers for Sunday’s race.
Bortoleto was summoned by the stewards after potentially impeding Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari. The incident occurred as Hamilton approached Turn 12 at the conclusion of the long back straight.
Hamilton was on a flying lap when he encountered the slow-moving Audi. He subsequently abandoned his lap and voiced frustrations over team radio.
The FIA stewards launched a post-session investigation into the impeding incident. The outcome of this specific investigation is currently pending.
Meanwhile, teammate Hulkenberg has been summoned regarding an alleged pit-lane incident. This involved Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin just 11 minutes into the FP3 session.
The stewards are reviewing the pit-lane infringement involving Hulkenberg and Stroll. A decision on this matter is also awaited.
In addition to the ongoing investigations, Gabriel Bortoleto faces a substantial grid penalty for the United States Grand Prix. He was initially handed a 20-place drop.
This initial penalty stemmed from Audi fitting his car with a fourth Control Electronics (CE) unit and a fourth Energy Store (ES). Both components exceeded the permitted season limit of three.
Each of these component changes incurred a 10-place grid penalty. Bortoleto also received a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and exhaust, which remained within his season allocation.
Further power unit changes were confirmed for Bortoleto’s Audi R26 on Saturday. These included a new ICE, turbocharger, exhaust set, MGU-K, and power unit ancillary component.
Each of these additional components incurred a 10-place penalty. Another energy store and control electronics unit were also fitted, each resulting in a five-place penalty.
These subsequent changes bring Bortoleto’s total grid penalty to 80 places. This effectively ensures he will start Sunday’s race from the back of the 22-car grid.
Two other drivers also received grid penalties for exceeding power unit component allocations. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto will serve a 10-place grid penalty.
Colapinto’s penalty is for taking his fourth Control Electronics unit of the season, exceeding the limit of three.
Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad received a five-place grid penalty. This was for fitting his car with a sixth internal combustion engine (ICE).
The season limit for ICE units is four. Lindblad’s penalty is five places because it is a subsequent breach for this component.
Under FIA regulations, the first instance of exceeding a component limit typically results in a 10-place penalty. Subsequent breaches for the same component incur a five-place penalty.
Any driver accumulating more than 15 grid places in penalties is automatically required to start the Grand Prix from the back of the field.
In other FP3 news, Lewis Hamilton topped the session for Ferrari at the Circuit of the Americas. He set a benchmark time of 1m34.893s.
Hamilton’s performance marked a Ferrari sweep of the practice sessions at the United States Grand Prix.
