Double penalty for Maldonado

Silverstone, 9 July 2012: Pastor Maldonado was hit with a double penalty by Silverstone race stewards after he collided with Sauber’s Sergio Pérez during the British Grand Prix on 8 July.

Maldonado was running seventh on lap 12 when he came under pressure from Pérez who had climbed from 16th after making a good start. The Mexican attempted a move around the outside of the Williams but Maldonado lost control in trying to defend the position and knocked the Sauber out of the race. The Williams driver went on to finish 16th.
After the incident a furious Pérez called for the Venezuelan to be hit with a stiff penalty.

“First of all, before the race the FIA sent a bulletin saying you cannot defend your position twice,” he told Sky Sports. “Once the car behind has a front wing on your tyres, you cannot move again. He did that before the braking.

“He just has no respect for other drivers.,” he continued. “It’s not a racing incident. It’s just the way he drives. I did this manoeuvre to Button and to Hulkenberg and they fight very hard but they leave the room. You cannot fight [with Maldonado], you cannot do anything. He is a very stupid driver.

“Just look at the last races. He ruined Hamilton’s race [in Valencia], he ruined my race in Monaco by doing stupid things. I don’t understand why the stewards don’t take a serious decision with him. With Pastor they’re not doing anything that will teach him a lesson.”

The FIA stewards reviewed the incident after the race and handed Maldonado the double penalty of a reprimand and a €10,000 euro fine.

For his part, Maldonado said he had simply lost control of his car.
“I tried to defend the place but on the entry when we were getting to the middle of the corner I just lost the rear,” he said. “I think the tyres were so cold, he tried to close my way, we were side-by-side so close, and when I had a little moment I just touched him with my rear tyre. Disappointing for him and me too because the race so far was going good, but this is racing.”