Mercedes have been fined a total of €10,000 (£8,388) for the violations of the tyre pressure rules on their cars during today’s race.
The tyre pressures on Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s cars were adjusted after the wheels had been fitted to the cars, which violates technical directive 003. The situation occured after the original start of the race was abandoned, following which further confusion was caused by drivers completing an extra formation lap, which is the subject of another investigation by the stewards.The stewards noted that a team would ordinarily be given a sporting penalty for a breach of this type. However they accepted an unusual combination of circumstances including the aborted start and the position of the access points onto the grid made it potentially impossible for teams to follow the technical directive. They also noted the tyre pressures set by the team were within legal limits.
“After the race start was aborted the 10 minute notice was immediately given for the new start,” the stewards explained. “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.”
The stewards added this should be a seen as a one-off case: “This decision should not be considered as a precedent for any similar breach in the future as the circumstances are considered unique.”
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Paul
3rd November 2024, 23:09
Were the tyres completely clear of the ground when the pressures were adjusted? If not would the weight of the car increase the pressure showing in the tyres?
Riccard
3rd November 2024, 23:14
I’m glad common sense prevailed here. So many teams and drivers were confused by the aborted start, it would have been a shame to DQ two of them (as Sky suggested might happen) for that confusion.
On a related note, the procedures around an aborted start need to be checked and then shared around, so everyone is on the same page next time.
Levente (@leventebandi)
3rd November 2024, 23:24
The rules haven’t changed for years, there is no need for clarification
Common sense would have been proper penalties, not the slap on the wrist ones, but the family guy sourced meme about F1 penalties seem to be still right
AlexS
4th November 2024, 3:12
Stewards manipulating the results. The explanation explains nothing and justifies nothing. Mercedes should get a sporting penalty .
“aborted start and the position of the access points onto the grid made it potentially impossible for teams to follow the technical directive.” Why? and why no one else changed too?
Grapmg
4th November 2024, 7:48
If there was commen sense Hulkenberg wouldn’t be black flagged. I don’t like all the penalties but this is inconsistent FIA next level
Icarus
4th November 2024, 13:08
Hulk was black flagged because he received assistance from the track marshals. He was unable to get the car moving on his own, and the marshals pushed him backward to get him off the drainage curb he was stuck on. That’s a textbook black flag.
Grapmg
4th November 2024, 13:11
I know the rule just as there are rules for tyre pressure btw. It’s just not common sense. We have seen Hamilton in a crane back on 2007 and than continue. These rules just don’t make sense anymore
notagrumpyfan
4th November 2024, 13:12
At least consistent at that ;)
But maybe we should cut them some slack; they are busy reviewing and penalising all the swearing.
Mayrton
6th November 2024, 16:07
Hahaha
DaveW (@dmw)
4th November 2024, 0:43
How could it have been impractical to comply when you can literally see the MclLaren mechanics doing it correctly from Russell’s on board camera?
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
4th November 2024, 5:43
I don’t understand the mitigating factor. Other teams followed the correct procedure. What made the Mercedes situation any different? I’d believe a mitigating factor would be specific to the team that made the error, not to the whole grid.
Patrick (@paeschli)
4th November 2024, 6:07
Seems very lenient.
S
4th November 2024, 8:28
F1 and their jelly rules….
You can’t change the tyre pressures at this point ever, except today – because, well, just because.
Andy (@andycz)
5th November 2024, 10:31
How is it with these fines and cost cup? Are fines part of it?
SteveP
5th November 2024, 19:07
Why did no one ask that when the RBR catering budget broke the bank?
Mayrton
6th November 2024, 16:13
I think we can conclude that little of it makes sense. Sometimes they are surprisingly lenient, sometimes they are very harsh. Consistency is absent. The only consistent trend-line I can see through all the inconsistency is that they tend to favour challengers and be harsh on leaders in the WDC and WCC title. Which makes sense, given they benefit from keeping suspense in those championships. It substantiates their existence and pays their salaries.