By substantial, we are referring to a tiny 100 euros. That converts to approximately 109 USD, a trifling sum for any F1 team or Sir Hamilton himself, but actually quite steep from a cost-to-velocity perspective.
As per Crash.net, the incident occurred during practice for the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, where the British driver of Mercedes was caught driving at 80.2 kilometers per hour in the pit lane. This was 0.2 kilometers above the speed limit. To provide context, a sloth, the slowest known mammal on earth, can crawl at 1.6 kilometers per hour.
Not only Mercedes was penalized for this violation, but Fernando Alonso was also caught in the act going up to 0.8 kilometers per hour over the limit around the same time. Reckless behavior!
All jokes aside, regulations must be adhered to, and what value holds any regulation—particularly one related to safety—if they are not rigorously enforced? Moreover, there used to be no speed limit, which is quite mind-boggling.
However, the amount does seem quite trivial. According to Crash.net, the fine is 100 euros per kilometer over the limit and only goes up to 1,000 euros. This raises the question: What would be the repercussions if drivers literally push the boundaries and speed through with reckless abandon? Would it still culminate in a mere 1,000 euros, or could the FIA enforce the law and impose heavier penalties?
Conversely, as previously mentioned, it might seem significant when reflected upon—picture if similar fine structures extended to regular street driving. In certain scenarios, it may be deemed necessary, like disciplining those who disregard school zone speed limits. Altough, in such instances, I reckon many would agree that initiating penalties starting at 100 in local currency and not imposing any limits per mile/kilometer over would not be a bad notion.
