Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez appeared to have crossed the pitlane exit line on their left front wheels as they made their stops to fit the hard tires at the 2022 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
The incidents were not investigated by the stewards, but Red Bull boss Christian Horner has confirmed that Ferrari has lodged a protest over the actions.
During the race footage of the incident was shown via Max Verstappen’s onboard camera, which appeared to show he had gone over the line, but the angle could be misleading as to how close his tires were to the limit.
Shortly after the race, the Red Bull team manager was at a press conference when he received a phone call from the sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley , telling him that Ferrari had protested.
It came after Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said he believed Verstappen’s move had gone against the regulations: “As Ferrari, we are disappointed, because we believe there was a clear breach of the regulations in the two Red Bulls. for going over the yellow line leaving the pits”.
“I think it wasn’t close. It was on the line, and if you look at the sporting code, the text says it’s crossed,” he told Sky Sports .
“We had a clarification in Turkey in 2020 to avoid any discussion and if you look at the race director’s notes it says to keep to the right, so staying in line is violating the race director’s notes,” he continued.
“I think each team has the task of following the race directors’ notes. It is clear and we are still seeking clarification with the FIA,” said the Swiss.
Horner, for his part, said that Red Bull were pleased that Verstappen had stayed within the line as required by the regulations: “All the images we have seen have shown us what we wanted to see.”
Asked if there had been any discussion with the FIA about the matter at the race, the Austrian team official said: “Nothing at all.”
Verstappen said the moment coming out of the pits was the result of being very aggressive with his acceleration, which he says was crucial in staying ahead of Leclerc, who was right in his wake: “I needed it, otherwise I’d It would have happened, because I wouldn’t have had traction. My exit from the pits was probably the most fun I had in the race trying to stay ahead.”
