Lance Stroll under FIA investigation for inappropriate behavior towards his physiotherapist (video)

During the recent Qatar Grand Prix, Lance Stroll was seen showing signs of frustration in his garage. These video evidence raised questions and led to the opening of an investigation by the FIA. According to the article published on Autosport, the FIA is currently studying whether Stroll’s behavior violates the sporting rules set out in the International Sporting Code. This includes rules that impose a certain level of conduct on drivers, placing a particular emphasis on “loyalty, integrity and fair-play.”

Article 12.2.1 of the FIA international sports code, common to all FIA licensees and therefore regardless of F1, requires punishment for: « Any word, act or writing that has caused moral harm or a loss to the FIA, to its bodies, its members or its leaders, and more generally on the interest of motor sport and on the values defended by the FIA. » (paragraph F) and « All misconduct » (paragraph J).

The video proofs

As shown in this video during the qualifiers, on Friday, of the Qatar Grand Prix, Lance Stroll allegedly “violently” pushed his physiotherapist after getting out of his single-seater, having just been eliminated in Q1.

A few seconds earlier, the Canadian had thrown his steering wheel. The physiotherapist then asked his driver to go to the FIA weigh-in, which Lance Stroll refused to do.

It’s the image that’s causing controversy: after his elimination in Q1, Lance Stroll had this interaction with one of the members of the Aston Martin team.#QatarGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ijoJ6AN34H

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) October 6, 2023

If Lance Stroll is found guilty of breaching the rules, this could have serious implications not only for him but also for his team, Aston Martin. The possible sanctions range from financial penalties to sporting sanctions, such as penalty points on his Super Licence.

Sanctions for Verstappen in 2018

In 2018, during the Brazil Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had “pushed” Esteban Ocon in the FIA garage, at the time of the weighing. Very upset, Max Verstappen had also been the subject of an investigation and had been sentenced to follow two days of civic services imposed by the FIA.

Violent behavior from a driver towards another person is rather rare in Formula 1. Romain Grosjean was sometimes seen in the Haas garage being upset with himself or hitting a wall, but never towards another person.

Demanding pilots

The team director, Mike Krack, said after the Qatar Grand Prix that it was important not to judge a driver’s behavior just as they are coming out of it. « I think having emotions is something we expect from athletes and if they react, we judge them quickly. Is it right, is it wrong? »

« I think we have to be careful with that. We want to see it, because then we will have something to say. But I think it goes a little too far when you have 10 people, sitting on the couch or in an air-conditioned room, and saying “that’s too much or you can’t do that”. I think we need to have a little more respect for the drivers and for the elite athletes, I would say. » ends the director of Aston Martin.