Grosjean struggling to understand penalty decision

Romain Grosjean is struggling to understand why the stewards handed him a 10-second stop-go penalty for causing a collision. On the opening lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Grosjean lost the rear of his car heading into Turn 6, and took Esteban Ocon out of the race.

The stewards deemed him guilty and handed him a penalty. After the race, Grosjean questioned the stewards' decision, claiming that he had a puncture and that was the reason for his sudden spin into Ocon.

"The only thing I can say about the opening lap is that I got massively hit in turn one," Grosjean said. "I believe I had a puncture on the rear left. I got to turn six and lost the car, and I think it was just the puncture. Getting a penalty on top of that – I'm not super happy with it. I want to see the footage.

"The positive from the race is that the last stint on the supersoft, the car felt amazing. Even though we had massive floor damage, it felt really good. We now need to understand why it felt so good and move on to Abu Dhabi."

I can't wrap my head around how Grosjean gets a penalty and Magnussen doesn't. If Magnussen, who deliberately turned into Stoffel, does not get a penalty, then how can Grosjean get one when he clearly just made a mistake or had bad luck with the puncture?

  • 1
  • Nov 13 2017 - 10:46

Replies (10)

Login to reply
  • mbmwe36

    Posts: 533

    I agree. I would chalk that up to a racing incident. Yes, he went into that corner guns blazing, but it could've easily worked out.
    And if he did deserve a punishment, why 10 seconds? Usually people get 5, even when they're clearly at fault.

    • + 0
    • Nov 12 2017 - 22:11
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Who knows the stewarding has been inconsistent this year. Bottas and Raikkonen should have penalties along somewhere but they didn't. Other drivers got penalties on a whim.

    • + 0
    • Nov 13 2017 - 07:33
    • Agreed, they really need to sort that out.

      • + 0
      • Nov 13 2017 - 07:50
    • Should automate this job, based on predetermined ( but further expanded) rules. If automation fails, at least its fair for all ;).

      • + 0
      • Nov 14 2017 - 00:04
  • FatMike

    Posts: 153

    Esteban got Grosjean'd. Wasn't this the same penalty as they gave Verstappen when he took out Ricciardo in Hungary earlier this year?

    • + 0
    • Nov 13 2017 - 07:39
  • I can't wrap my head around how Grosjean gets a penalty and Magnussen doesn't. If Magnussen, who deliberately turned into Stoffel, does not get a penalty, then how can Grosjean get one when he clearly just made a mistake or had bad luck with the puncture?

    • + 1
    • Nov 13 2017 - 10:46
    • Bhurt

      Posts: 320

      Agree completely.

      • + 0
      • Nov 13 2017 - 14:12
  • Barron

    Posts: 625

    Ah Kevin the Barbarian! F1’s new Destroyer...? As for Romain, well <shrug> he’s just a Lettuce n’est ce pas? ?

    • + 0
    • Nov 13 2017 - 11:38
  • Haas has the worst driver pairing in F1. That's all that seems clear to me. The stewarding... yeah needs some work. But not as much as Haas driver pairing.

    • + 0
    • Nov 13 2017 - 19:15
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    Just rematched the incident grosjeans tailed stepped out after his front wheel touched icons car. Grosjean doesn't realize what he is doing in the heat of the race. He had the same issues when he was a rookie always in crashes blaming others. When receives a blue flag he tries to race the leaders. His 10 second penalty is more because of his history this season

    • + 0
    • Nov 13 2017 - 20:02

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country France
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (39)
  • Place of b. Geneve, France
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile
show sidebar