Zhou Guanyu, the driver for Sauber F1, has received a hefty 20-place grid penalty ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This penalty arises from the installation of unauthorized components on his car, specifically a third Energy Store (ES) and third Control Electronics (CE), which violates Article 28.2 of the FIA Formula One regulations.
The penalty is substantial because each unauthorized change beyond the allowed two incurs a 10-place drop, leading to Zhou starting from the back of the grid as stipulated in Article 42.3 (d). The stewards made it clear that he “is required to start the Race from the back of the starting grid.”
The official stewards’ document outlines the specifics:
Kym Illman/Getty Images
“No / Driver: 24 – Zhou Guanyu
“Competitor: Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
“Fact: Additional Power Unit elements: 3rd Energy Store (ES), 3rd Control Electronics (CE)
“Infringement: Breach of Article 28.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
“Decision: Required to start from the back of the starting grid.
“Reason: According to Article 28.3, using extra elements leads to a cumulative penalty. with more than 15 grid points resulting in a mandatory back-of-the-grid start under Article 42.3 d).
Teams have the right to appeal certain stewards’ decisions as per Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code.
This situation presents a significant hurdle for Zhou and the Sauber team, who face a tough challenge moving forward in the season. With no points scored thus far, both Zhou and his teammate Valtteri Bottas have left the team at the bottom of the Constructors’ standings.
2024 F1 Constructors’ Standings
1. Red Bull Racing – 446 points
2. McLaren – 438 points
3. Ferrari – 407 points
4. Mercedes – 292 points
5. Aston Martin – 74 points
6. VCARB – 34 points
7. Haas – 28 points
8. Alpine – 13 points
9. Williams – 6 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
2024 F1 Drivers’ Standings
1. Max Verstappen – 303 points
2. Lando Norris – 241 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 217 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 197 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 184 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 164 points
7. Sergio Perez – 143 points
8. George Russell – 128 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 50 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 6 points
17. Alex Albon – 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Franco Colapinto – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points