Kimi Räikkönen’s penalty gives the Constructors’ title to Mercedes
The last lap collision between Kimi Räikkönen and Valtteri Bottas resulted in a thirty-second penalty for the Ferrari Finn. This allows Mercedes to be crowned world champion in the team category.
The last lap of the Sochi Grand Prix therefore accelerated Mercedes’ crowning. Indeed, the stewards decided to penalize Kimi Räikkönen with a thirty-second penalty for hitting his compatriot, which had made the latter furious for losing a podium in such a manner.
The commissioners have therefore decided to side with the Williams driver. With his thirty-second penalty added to his race time, Kimi Räikkönen finds himself 8th in the race.
With four races left in the season, Mercedes can no longer be caught in the Constructors’ Championship and can therefore celebrate its second consecutive title on the same circuit as last year. The team will have one more reason to pop the champagne, even though Nico Rosberg is unlikely to feel like celebrating after a new withdrawal that virtually dashes his last hopes of a crown.
CONFIRMED: Yeeeeeessss! World Champions second time in a row. Proud and humbled to be part of this team. #WonMoreTime pic.twitter.com/zSUOkXf5nt
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 11 Octobre /f1/actualite/20446-accroche-par-raikkonen-dans-le-dernier-tour-bottas-ne-decolere-pas.html