F1: Bottas avoids unsafe release penalty

The Williams Formula 1 team has been fined 2,000 euros for the unsafe pitlane release of Valtteri Bottas during Singapore Grand Prix qualifying, but the Finn has avoided a penalty.

As the cars headed out for their final run in qualifying, Bottas exited his garage into the path of Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. The incident was reported to the stewards, who deemed the team had breached article 23.12 (a) of the sporting regulations.

"It is considered that the release was unsafe as car three had been released and was fast approaching," read a statement from the stewards. "At the hearing, the [Williams] team manager acknowledged that it was 'too close'. The fact that car 3 did not have to take avoiding action, mitigates the penalty."

Speaking about the incident before the decision, Ricciardo admitted it did impact on his preparation of his tires but refused to attribute any blame.

"It wasn't Valtteri's fault at all," said Ricciardo. "It was the pattern, the way we came out was close. I wanted to push in the pitlane, but it's just part of it.

"It is always nicer to have you own out-lap, to do you own pace. I don't know how much the car in front will back up to do what they want to do.

"It probably explains why my tyres were better at end of lap compared to beginning. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, who knows?"

Originally on Autosport.com