Mercedes failed to submit the required set-up sheets for both George Russell’s and Kimi Antonelli’s cars before qualifying at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which has led to their summons by the race stewards. FIA technical representative Joe Bauer highlighted this oversight, noting that as of 8:12 p.m., the documentation had not been provided. According to Article 40.1 of the FIA F1 Sporting Regulations, teams must hand over suspension set-up sheets for both cars before leaving the pit lane during sprint qualifying and qualifying sessions. This breach could result in penalties or even disqualification from the qualifying results.
Mercedes team principals are scheduled to meet with the stewards at 9:45 p.m. local time (5:45 a.m. UK time). George Russell secured a spot for Round 4 of Sunday’s race, while Kimi Antonelli was knocked out in Q1 with a 17th-place qualifying time. Additionally, Carlos Sainz, who qualified third, was called by the stewards for a collision with Lance Stroll, and Williams faced scrutiny for failing to properly return a set of intermediate tires after the final practice session.
Fan Take: This development is critical for racing fans because it highlights how even top teams like Mercedes can face significant consequences for administrative oversights. The outcome could shake up the starting grid and potentially alter the dynamics of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, adding an unpredictable twist to the championship battle.
