China: Barrichello escapes blocking penalty

By Phil Huff
October 1 2006

Honda Racing F1's Rubens Barrichello escaped punishment today after being accused of blocking McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.

"My Michelin tyres were at their hottest and had the most grip I was blocked by a car exiting the pitlane," explained an irritated de la Rosa. "I had to run wide to avoid a collision, and it was about three corners before I was able to get past by which point my tyres had cooled off."

Given the complaint, the stewards called Barrichello to explain the incident, and investigated the situation around the event. Releasing their findings later in the day, the stewards cleared Rubens of any wrongdoing.

"Having heard the explanation of both the competitors representatives and the drivers," read the stewards report, "the stewards determine that the incident requires no further action as enquiries show that as a result of a system fault. The blue lights at pit exit were not illuminated to indicate the presence of a car on the pit straight, nor was the blue flag waved at the pit exit."

Following some harsh penalties for blocking at recent races, most notably to Fernando Alonso for blocking Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the Italian Grand Prix, the FIA have cleared up the rules to only penalise where there is intent to cause delay.