Analysis | Why did Verstappen get a penalty for pushing while Stroll did not?

Not an extensive document, but a short announcement via Whatsapp: 'Lance Stroll has received a written warning from the FIA Compliance Officer', the press officer of the world motorsport federation told GPblog and others. So no penalty, where Max Verstappen did receive a penalty a few years ago for incident very similar to Stroll's. How about that?

Even if it is a speeding offence in the pitlane, Formula 1's stewards then put together a full document on what happened and what the punishment of that is. Early on Friday night, a ruling from the FIA also came out, in this case from the special Compliance Officer, who investigates whether (for example) a driver is complying with the sport's codes of ethics and conduct. There was no document for that (as yet), only a written warning addressed directly to Stroll.

Verstappen did receive punishment

Speeding three kilometres through the pit lane already results in a fine in Formula 1. Impeding a competitor during free practice results in a grid penalty. Giving someone a heavy-handed push apparently comes with a warning. 'Don't do it again!'

At least, in Stroll's case. When Max Verstappen looked up Esteban Ocon in 2018 after an incident in the Brazilian Grand Prix (which cost the Dutchman victory), an altercation ensued and Verstappen gave the Frenchman a push. A disciplinary penalty followed: Verstappen had to do two days of community service, which amounted to walking along with the stewards during a Formula E race.

According to the FIA, what is the difference between the incidents?

Why Verstappen did receive punishment and Stroll did not? GPblog put this question to the FIA spokesperson. The answer was: "No two incidents are the same, so the specifics and the response will be taken into account by the Compliance Officer." A follow-up question to clarify what the differences were between the two cases was not answered.

So it remains conjecture as to the reason for the difference. In 2018, it was brought out that Verstappen was penalised because he had "violently pushed or punched Esteban Ocon in the chest several times". In Stroll's case, it was not about multiple pushes or blows, it was one. Moreover, Verstappen already announced during the race that he had better not run into Ocon in the paddock, as he would have 'a f*cking problem'. In other words, perhaps the FIA saw some form of premeditation in this, unlike the Stroll incident.

On the other hand, a lot has happened since 2018. The FIA have become increasingly aware of the exemplary role that the sport and everyone in it has, and regularly speaks out against abuses in society. Think of racism or online violence. Hence also the introduction of the Compliance Officer. In that light, a disciplinary punishment for Stroll would not have been strange.

Again, it all remains a guess. What is clear, however, is that a warning means Stroll cannot afford another similar incident.