Charlie Whiting has explained that it didn't matter that
Sergio Perez sat out his five-second penalty during a safety car, which means that the Mexican won't lose his podium place after all.
Sergio Perez was a happy bunny after he finished on the podium in his Force India, but after the race, an investigation started on his illegal move on Lance Stroll. Perez had overtaken Stroll during a safety car, which was met with a five-second penalty. Normally, those five seconds would just be added at the end of the race, but Perez decided to sit out his five seconds in the pit during the safety car after the Red Bulls collided.
The investigation was on whether or not that's allowed, but F1 racing leader Charlie Whiting has cleared the air.
"Five seconds is five seconds," he told Racefans.net.
"It doesn't matter in what circumstances you sit out your penalty, as long as you do it in your next pit stop."
After the stop, Perez was quick to capitalize on Vettel slipping up and Bottas retiring, which shot the Mexican up to third. A very well earned podium for Perez and Force India, who have struggled with form earlier in the season.