F1: Fellow drivers back Pierre Gasly over Japan penalties

Pierre Gasly has earned the support of several of his fellow drivers after receiving penalties for speeding during a red flag period at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Frenchman was very lucky to escape without incident from Suzuka having come very close to a recovery vehicle in treacherous conditions whilst out on circuit.

Indeed, Carlos Sainz’s car was being recovered after an accident at the start of the Grand Prix and whilst the rest of the field had been collected by the Safety Car and crawled past the recovery vehicle, Gasly was on the other side of the circuit trying to catch up after having to pit for a new front wing.

That left us with the very concerning scene of Gasly flying past the vehicle well above Safety Car speed and he was naturally incensed given what could have unfolded, especially with us at a circuit that saw Jules Bianchi tragically crash into a recovery vehicle and lose his life months later due to the injuries incurred, in similarly wet conditions.

The drivers condemned the fact the recovery vehicle was on track that early and have also offered their support for Gasly who was given a 20-time penalty and two penalty points for going too fast during the ensuing red flag period which came just as he was on the scene of the recovery vehicle – though the speeding offence itself actually related to a different section of the track.

The drivers have backed Gasly over the matter, though, with Fernando Alonso saying:

“Totally supporting Pierre. We are in the car, we know the speed we are doing, we know when we are in control. What we don’t expect is to see a tractor on the circuit, so that’s nothing to blame on Pierre.”

George Russell said meanwhile:

“You have to respect your VSC delta, but if you’re 10