Aston Martin earned its first point of the season as Sergio Pérez and Cadillac were stripped of their 10th-place finish and first F1 point. In a chaotic first outing in Monaco, Cadillac almost squeezed away with their first points as Sergio Pérez was marked in 10th at the completion of the 78-lap race this Sunday afternoon.
However, in a race marred by penalties across the teams, Pérez was not spared. At the start, the driver of the No. 11 jumped the start, lining up a row too early, momentarily making it look like he passed from 18th to 16th on the opening lap. With passing at a premium at Monaco, Pérez was quickly hit with a pass-through penalty in which he served.
"Car [No.] 11 started from position 16 instead of position 18," the penalty report read. "In Monaco, two places on the grid is a very significant advantage. Therefore, the penalty needs to reflect this, when compared to other false start incidents, including being in the wrong position at other tracks, where the advantage may not have been as significant."
View Price on AmazonPérez rebounded and ran a steady race as cars continued to DNF around him. His teammate Valtteri Bottas was the second to DNF, following Max Verstappen's opening-lap retirement. By the time of the red flag for Charles Leclerc, Pérez was running just outside the points, with penalties to still be served by multiple drivers in the points, including Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, who dropped from eighth to 14th with a ten-second penalty.
This penalty elevated Pérez to 10th, which would mark the first point won by Cadillac F1 in their inaugural season. But Pérez was also under investigation at the end of the race, and two hours after the checkered flag waved, the verdict came through. Pérez was handed a 10-second penalty, knocking him from 10th to 15th, with just 9.811 seconds between him and Franco Colapinto, the last driver to finish the race, the penalty sent him to the back of the pack.
"The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 11 (Sergio Perez), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video and in-car video evidence," the FIA penalty report reads. "Video evidence showed clearly that the front right wheel of Car 11 was outside the starting box. The standard penalty is applied.
Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits. Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines, and evidence presented.
With the penalty to Cadillac and Pérez, Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin take the final point of the grand prix. This is the first point scored by Aston Martin this year as they struggle greatly with their AMR26, the new regulations, and their switch from a Mercedes power unit to Honda.
Source: roadandtrack.com
