In a shocking turn of events, Gabriel Bortoleto’s aggressive move at the Las Vegas Grand Prix start line resulted in a dramatic multi-car collision, leaving fans and officials stunned. But was the penalty fair?
The young Sauber driver, starting from 18th, made a bold move into turn one, braking late and colliding with Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. The impact sent Stroll into Pierre Gasly, triggering a chain reaction that ended the races of both Bortoleto and Stroll. And here’s where it gets controversial—the stewards’ decision to penalize Bortoleto with a five-place grid drop for the next race in Qatar has sparked debate.
The officials deemed Bortoleto’s actions reckless, stating that he braked extremely late and caused the crash. But some argue that his penalty is too harsh, considering it was a first-lap incident with no malicious intent. And this is the part most people miss—the penalty points. Bortoleto also received two penalty points, his first-ever, which could have significant implications for his future races.
Now, the question remains: Did the stewards get it right? Was the five-place grid drop and penalty points a fair punishment? Or should they have considered other factors, such as the nature of the incident and Bortoleto’s inexperience? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss the nuances of racing penalties.