Manama, Bahrain - Ferrari has been fined €50 000 (R736 500) after one of its Formula One mechanics was hit by Kimi Raikkonen's car and suffered a broken leg during a Bahrain Grand Prix pit-stop.
Raikkonen, who had been third, was told to stop immediately and retired in pit lane while team-mate Sebastian Vettel went on to win.
Ferrari said the mechanic on the left rear wheel, named only as Francesco, had been taken to hospital with a suspected shin bone and fibula fracture. He was knocked over as Raikkonen was wrongly given the signal to leave with only three tyres replaced and the other still to be removed.
"I go when the light is green," Raikkonen said. "I don't see what happens behind and unfortunately he got hurt. My job is to go when the light says so. Hopefully, he's OK."
Raikkonen was left sitting in his car for a while before stepping out while the mechanics focused on their stricken team mate on the floor.
Second fine
Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne wished the mechanic a speedy recovery in his post-race statement, adding: "I am sorry for Kimi who could certainly have finished on the podium."
It was the second time Ferrari had been penalised for an unsafe release over the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, having been penalised €5000 (R73 650) after Raikkonen was sent out of the pits with a loose wheel in Friday practice.
Race stewards said that in Sunday's incident the car was released "in a manner endangering team personnel and causing injury."