Alpine drivers Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly have lost their points-scoring positions following the Mexico City Grand Prix due to separate infractions involving yellow flag violations. Although the pair initially secured a double points finish with Colapinto placing eighth and Gasly tenth, post-race investigations by the stewards resulted in penalties that removed them from the top ten.
The incident occurred during the 71-lap race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. While Gasly had outqualified his teammate, Colapinto achieved a better start, climbing from 11th to 7th place in the opening laps. However, both drivers were later summoned for failing to reduce speed adequately when yellow flags were displayed. Colapinto was penalized for an infraction in a single yellow sector, while Gasly committed a more serious error in a double yellow sector.
The stewards reviewed extensive evidence, including telemetry, video footage, timing data, and team radio communications, before making their decisions. Regarding Colapinto, the Argentine driver and his team presented evidence claiming compliance with regulations requiring speed reduction and readiness to change direction. However, the stewards concluded that a detailed examination of the telemetry and onboard camera failed to demonstrate sufficient speed reduction in the single yellow sector. Consequently, Colapinto received a 10-second time penalty and one penalty point on his license.
Gasly's infraction was deemed more severe, resulting in a stop-and-go penalty and two penalty points. Despite claims from the driver and team representative that a significant speed reduction occurred, the stewards determined that the small reduction noted in the telemetry was insufficient compared to other cars passing through the sector. These penalties dropped both Alpine drivers out of the final top-10 classification.
As a result of these demotions, Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and Haas newcomer Ryo Hirakawa were promoted to ninth and tenth place respectively. The final scoring order for the Mexico City Grand Prix, which also accounted for Oscar Piastri's penalty for causing a collision, saw Liam Lawson finish seventh and Gabriel Bortoleto eighth.
Sources: Formula 1.