Aston Martin have been successful in launching a post-race protest with the FIA set to announce a change to the results of the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday. Max Verstappen celebrated a fifth consecutive race victory as Red Bull dominated at the front once again to extend their lead in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, but there is now set to be a further twist in the tale after Aston Martin requested a hearing to protest the results of the 78-lap race.
Aston Martin submitted a protest within the half-hour timeframe after the race, claiming that drivers were in breach of Article 33.3 of the FIA regulations, which relates to exceeding track limits.
The stewards confirmed there were over 100 instances during the race, with seven drivers hit with penalties. Many of these were registered at the time and the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz were affected by the time penalties handed to them.
Aston Martin claimed other drivers committed infringements which went unpunished and the FIA have now concurred with the team.
In a statement, they said: “Regarding the track limits infringements at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, we note that due to the specifics of the circuit layout and the propensity of many drivers to repeatedly drive outside of the boundaries of the track.
“An unprecedented situation arose which resulted in all potential infringements not being able to be reviewed during the race. Prior to the submission of a Protest against the result, we had already begun a full review of the track limits infringements, which is ongoing.
“During the Grand Prix, Race Control was tasked with reviewing well over 1,200 instances where a car was reported as potentially leaving the track. The results will be updated once the review of those which were not able to be reviewed during the race is complete.”
Aston Martin’s drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished sixth and 10th respectively, taking home nine points for the team. Neither driver fell foul of the track limits regulations put in place, and they would therefore have a chance to improve their final grid position if there is evidence of other drivers going beyond the white lines.
Verstappen finished over five seconds clear of Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari, with Sergio Perez recovering from 15th to take the final spot on the podium ahead of Carlos Sainz.
Lewis Hamilton had complained several times on the radio about Perez’s racing conduct with reference to track limits, and it would not be the first time the Mexican was penalised after seeing three laps deleted during qualifying.
George Russell was one of two drivers who did not go beyond the confines of the white racing line during the race as he came home in ninth, and he too may stand to gain a place if other drivers are handed penalties.
Alonso, who finished in fifth place, may be eyeing some extra points if Lando Norris is found to have go beyond the kerb one too many times.
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