MERCEDES RECEIVED A FINE FOR VIOLATING THE TIRE PRESSURE RULE IN THE BRAZILIAN GP
Mercedes was fined 5000 euros for each vehicle on the grounds that Formula 1 violated the rules for adjusting tire pressures.Mercedes was called by the commissioners after the Brazilian Grand Prix, claiming that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell lowered the pressure of the tires in their cars after the postponed start.This means the violation of the technical directive given to the teams, which states that tire pressures can only be changed when the rims are removed from the vehicle.Normally, such technical violations lead to disqualification, but the FIA preferred to impose a sanction of 5000 euros for each vehicle after listening to the team’s announcement.This was because Mercedes’ defense was that the difficult conditions of the race, where access to the grid was more limited than other areas, meant it was impossible for the team to change the pressures before the wheels had to be installed.
In the statement made by the FIA, it was said: “After the start of the race is canceled, 10 minutes have been given for the new start.”
“Given the layout of the track and the access point to the grid from the pit path, the crew’s time to reach the grid has been extended.”
“FIA has acknowledged that in this short period of time, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for teams to follow the procedure specified in the technical directive.”By adjusting the pressure of Mercedes to the regulations allowed, the FIA made sure that the changes did not provide an unfair advantage.
The statement included the following statements: “Given the unusual circumstances surrounding the complicated timeline, canceled start, grid access logistics and the technical delegate’s requirement that tire pressures are within the correct parameters, the commissioners have decided that it is appropriate to impose a fine in this case.”
“Under normal circumstances, this type of violation requires a sporting penalty, but in this case it is not appropriate.”
“However, this decision should not set a precedent for a similar violation in the future, as the circumstances are unique.”
The referees’ decision means that Russell retains fourth and Hamilton tenth.
