FIA DEMOTE star driver for the Mexican Grand Prix

A Formula One star's Sunday was prematurely ruined after changes to his car resulted in him being demoted to a pit start position.

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will host the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, bringing the season into its final stages.

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But just hours before the race, a Formula 1 star suffered a setback after his car was equipped with a new energy storage system (ES) and new control electronics (CE).

FIA punishes F1 star in Mexico

Crucially, these changes have not been approved by the sport's governing body, as an official document from the FIA ​​confirmed at 10:30 a.m. CST.

The penalized driver is Alpine driver Esteban Ocon, who will now start the race in Mexico City from the pits.

“These PU elements were replaced without the consent of the FIA ​​technical delegate,” the FIA ​​document states.

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“Therefore, in accordance with Article 40.9 of the 2024 Formula 1 Sports Regulations, the number 31 vehicle should now be obliged to start from the pit lane.”

The FIA ​​confirmed that the matter had also been submitted to the sports commissioners for review.

While it is undoubtedly a setback, it is not the worst blow Ocon will suffer in his career given his poor performance in qualifying on Saturday.

The Frenchman only qualified 19th for Sunday's race, meaning he doesn't have to make up much ground to get back to where he would have finished had he not been penalized.

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