Formula 1: Kimi Raikkonen penalized, stripped of 7th in German Grand Prix

Kimi Raikkonen has been issued a 30-second time penalty, stripping him of a seventh place finish in Sunday’s Formula 1 race at the Hockenheimring, the German Grand Prix.

What was a great Formula 1 race for Alfa Romeo Racing and Kimi Raikkonen turned sour after the checkered flag flew, as the 39-year-old Finn was issued a 30-second time penalty following the conclusion of the German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring.

Raikkonen was issued this penalty as a result of a breach of Article 27.1, which pertains to clutch torque application during race starts.

According to Formula 1, the race stewards discovered that the torque in the clutch at the start of the race did not match the torque demand as Raikkonen released the clutch “within the specified 70 millisecond maximum period. This time was measured at approximately 300 milliseconds.”

Here is what Alfa Romeo Racing team principal Frederic Vasseur had to say about Raikkonen’s 30-second time penalty, according to Formula 1.

"“It is extremely disappointing to have both cars penalised and pushed out of the points in what had been such an exciting race. The situation arose during the laps we spent behind the Safety Car ahead of the standing start: we suffered a dysfunction of the clutch that was beyond our control and we will further investigate the issue.“We respect the FIA’s process and the stewards’ work, but will appeal this decision as we believe we have the grounds and evidence to have it overturned. In this regard, we will be in touch with the FIA soon.”"

Raikkonen originally finished this 64-lap race around the 16-turn, 2.842-mile (4.574-kilometer) Hockenheimring road course in Am Motodrom, Hockenheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany in seventh place, 12.214 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.