Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas had been all referred to as to see the stewards after the race, and all obtained the identical penalty.
A non-driving reprimand has some significance, as a result of if any of the drivers obtain two additional driving-related reprimands inside this season, they face a grid penalty.
Drivers are speculated to solely put on T-shirts for the primary a part of the grid ceremonies, and take away them earlier than the nationwide anthem. They argued that within the busy, wet situations earlier than the beginning they forgot to take them off.
The choice to penalise drivers for displaying messages has brought about a stir on social media, however Masi is adamant that everybody has identified the principles because the begin of the 2021 season.
“Earlier this yr we clarified,” he mentioned. “And following dialogue internally with the FIA and F1, we mentioned we wished to maintain giving the entire drivers the flexibility to have the second to indicate successfully their help for We Race as One nonetheless they selected to, however then the nationwide anthem for a selected nation ought to be revered with drivers all carrying their race fits.
“So it was clarified and made very clear that when that second was displayed and the drivers confirmed their recognition they must take away their shirt or the rest they wore and go to the nationwide anthem of their race uniform.
“And that is been the identical for quite a few occasions now, so that is the primary occasion the place it has occurred since and all of these drivers that saved their shirts on, so it wasn’t simply Sebastian, there have been 4 or 5 drivers, all obtained a non-driving reprimand for failing to comply with the race director’s directions.
“It was noticed by quite a few folks together with the media delegate whose on the market. Myself on tv. It went from me to the stewards, it was a breach and that is why it was a reprimand for the primary offence.”
Requested by Autosport if a reprimand that would assist to set off a grid penalty was too sturdy a punishment, Masi mentioned: “You take a look at all penalties on the idea of what it’s. Reprimands are the bottom penalty aside from a warning, which actually will not be a penalty, it is a warning.
“A non-driving reprimand, so you have to have two driving reprimands and one non-driving to finally get to a grid penalty. However for instance, three non-driving reprimands it does not have that impression.”