Nikita Mazepin has dropped to ninth place in the final classification of the Formula 2 Feature Race in Sakhir after receiving two five-second time penalties for separate incidents.
Mazepin crossed the line in third place, after launching an aggressive defence against rival drivers to stay ahead.
As a result of the penalties, Felipe Drugovich has inherited third place while Robert Shwartzman, Callum Ilott, Mick Schumacher, Jehan Daruvala and Dan Ticktum move up one spot each.
The first penalty came as a result of Mazepin’s defence on the start/finish straight against Felipe Drugovich.
The Stewards’ observed “that Car 15 (Drugovich) started a pass to the right of Car 24 (Mazepin) on the pit straight.
“Car 24 moved to the right in a blocking manoeuvre at the same time and in the process moved to the track edge.
“Car 15, who had established some amount of overlap in the pass attempt, was forced to slow to avoid a collision and was, therefore, hindered.”
Mazepin was also deemed to be guilty of unsporting driving in his defence against eventual race winner Yuki Tsunoda.
As both drivers battled for position, Tsunoda was forced to cross into the pit lane exit as they ran side by side into the first corner.
“Having considered the matter extensively, the Stewards determined that Car 7 (Tsunoda) started a pass to the right of Car 24 on the pit straight and established a significant part of his car alongside Car 24 while Car 24 was moving to the right in a blocking maneuver,” read a statement.
“Car 24 continued moving to the right until his right side tyres crossed the edge of the track, thereby forcing Car 7 completely off the track in breach of Article 2 (b) of Appendix L Chapter IV of the FIA International Sporting Code.
“The Stewards note that had Car 7 not been forced off track by Car 24, Car 7 could clearly have successfully completed the pass on track and, therefore, no action is taken against Car 7 for completing a pass whilst being beyond the track limits.”
Mazepin was also investigated for making contact with Drugovich at Turn 1 and forcing him off the track between Turns 3 and 4, however was not penalised for those incidents.
The Russian, who will join the Haas F1 team in 2020, was handed two penalty points in both incidents he was punished for, bringing his total for the season up to 11.
