Pic handed drive-through penalty
Caterham's Charles Pic has been handed a drive-through penalty for Sunday's 2013 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix for passing through a red light at the pit exit during the first part of qualifying in Suzuka.
The stewards found that Pic, who already had a 10-place grid penalty for picking up his third reprimand of the season in Korea, exited the pit lane five seconds after the light had turned red - a contravention of article 31.3 of the sporting regulations.
The stewards report read: "Car #20 crossed the pit exit line at 14:17:10. The red light was at 14:17:05. It is noted this is the second consecutive event in which the driver has driven through a red light."
Pic said he noticed the lights go red as he made his way to exit, but took the decision to go on and return to his pit box via a slow-speed lap of the circuit. "Just as we exited the pit the red flags came out so we came straight back," he commented.
Charles Pic must serve his drive-through penalty within the first five laps of Sunday’s race.
