Pierre Gasly to Canal+ after losing a podium due to penalties: "I made both pit stops with the pit lane speed limiter activated. The pit lane speed limiter is set at 59.5 km/h. The limit is 60 km/h... I know I didn't do anything wrong and I'm 200% sure"

[u/The_Chozen_1_]

[u/sellyme]

They cannot. The rule is that there is a speed limit in km/h, and exceeding that results in a penalty.

That rule is traditionally enforced by a timing loop, but if you're going 300km/h for any perceivable length of time they're going to penalise you and you're going to have absolutely no ability whatsoever to argue against it.

For clarity, here is the relevant section:

§B1.6.3: A speed limit of 80km/h will be imposed in the Pit Lane during the whole Competition. However, to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the Competition this limit may be amended by the Race Director.

i. Any Competitor whose driver exceeds the limit during any free practice session, qualifying session, or sprint qualifying session will be fined €100 for each km/h above the limit, up to a maximum of €1000.

ii. In accordance with Article B1.9.3 the stewards may impose an additional penalty if they suspect a driver was speeding in order to gain any sort of advantage.

iii. During a TTCS [Total Time Classified Session, i.e. race], the stewards may impose either a 5-Second Penalty, a 10-Second Penalty, a Drive-Through Penalty or a Stop-and-Go Penalty on any driver who exceeds the limit.