© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
After the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Mercedes has been summoned to the stewards for an alleged Sporting Regulations infringement.
During the red flag period at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the FIA issued a statement saying that Mercedes is being suspected of adjusting tyre pressures on Lewis Hamilton and George Russell‘s cars after the tyres have already been fitted.
“On the grid and when the race start was aborted, between the 10 minutes and the 5 minutes signal, on car numbers 63 and 44, the tyre pressures were adjusted (pressure released) with wheels already fitted to the car,” a statement from the FIA read.
“As this is in contradiction to TD003 N, items 2. c) and 2. h) i., I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration,” the statement concluded.
After the race the stewards have confirmed Mercedes representatives have been summoned.
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“Tyre pressures were adjusted (pressure released) with wheels already fitted to the car, in alleged breach of Article 30.5 a) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations and contradiction to technical directive TD003 N, 2. c) and 2. h),” the stewards noted.
While tyres can be changed during a red flag period, the rules do not allow the teams to make changes to their tyre pressures after they have already been fitted to the car.
UPDATE: The FIA onfirmed that Russell and Hamilton will not receive any sporting penalties, but Mercedes has been fined €5,000 for the incident. Here is the full verdict:
“The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), the FIA Technical Delegate, a member of his team and the FIA Single Seater Director.
“After the race start was aborted the 10 minute notice was immediately given for the new start. Given the layout of the circuit and the access point to the grid from the pit lane the time period for the team to get to the grid was extended.
“The gate to access the grid was not immediately opened. The FIA accepted that given this short notice it was extremely difficult if not impossible for the teams to follow the procedure prescribed in the technical directive.
“The FIA Technical Delegate stipulated that the tyre pressures while having been adjusted by the team was within the allowed parameters.
“Given the unusual circumstances surrounding the compressed time table, aborted start, the grid access logistics and given the stipulation from the Technical Delegate that the tyre pressures were within the correct parameters, the Stewards determine that a fine for a breach of procedure is appropriate in this case.
“Normally a breach of this nature, within a competitive session would carry a sporting penalty but it is not appropriate in this case. However, this decision should not be considered as a precedent for any similar breach in the future as the circumstances are considered unique.”
