Official: 50,000 euros fine for Max Verstappen in Brazil – F1only.fr

Almost 24 hours after the end of the qualifying session played this Friday evening in Sao Paulo, the FIA ​​has finally unveiled a first decision concerning the “DRS-Gate” affair on the British car driver Lewis Hamilton.

As a reminder, after this qualifying session, the FIA ​​technical delegates carried out routine checks on all the cars on the grid in order to identify any non-compliance. During this check, the technical delegates detected a potential technical violation on Lewis Hamilton’s single-seater (author of the best time) at the level of the DRS flap (movable rear spoiler), thus confirming that: ” the requirement of a maximum of 85 mm, when the DRS system is deployed and tested in accordance with DT / 011-19, was not met. “

Following this discovery, the technical delegates referred this matter back to the race marshals for further consideration and a delegation from the Mercedes team was immediately summoned to the marshals office. At the same time, a video taken by a fan in a grandstand opposite the pit lane on the Interlagos track circulated on social media and in which Red Bull driver Max Verstappen can be seen staring insistently at the rival’s Mercedes rear wing, as it even looks like the Dutchman is touching the W12’s rear wing with his fingertips.

the FIA ​​has therefore taken the decision to postpone the decision concerning the potential technical infringement of Mercedes until this Saturday morning (Brazilian time), while the Red Bull driver Max Verstappen also received a summons to the marshals office this Saturday morning at 9:30 am (local time) for breaking the parc fermé rule by touching the car of his rival, while a delegation from the Mercedes team is also expected at the marshals office at 10:30 am (local time).

After having waited much of the day for an official decision, and with the Sprint race scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (Paris time), the FIA ​​finally delivered its initial conclusions of the investigation this Saturday evening and indicated that the driver Red Bull Max Verstappen was fined 50,000 euros for having violates article 2.5.1. of the FIA ​​International Sporting Code by inspecting the rear wing of Lewis Hamilton in the Parc Fermé after qualifying for the Brazilian GP (Lewis Hamilton for his part was disqualified, read the report here).

Full report of the commissioners

“The marshals heard from the driver of car 33 (Max Verstappen) and the team representing him. Stewards also reviewed a fan video taken from across the track, CCTV video with footage taken from the pit lane and in car footage from car 14, car 33, car 44 and car 77. “

” In total, these videos gave a clear picture of what happened in the parc fermé following the qualifying session. Verstappen gets out of the car, then walks to the back of his car. He then takes his gloves and puts his right hand in the slit in the rear fender of his car. He then moves to car 44 and repeats the exercise touching the rear wing in two places, once on either side of the DRS actuator, but on the lower rear side of the wing. , in the slot area and never near the actuator or the end fixing points. “

“The high definition video from the camera located on the rear arch on car 44 shows that there is absolutely no movement of any of the wing elements on car 44 when Verstappen touches the rear of the car. fin and the Stewards are satisfied, looking at all the videos and his body position, as well as the video of the fin, that there was insignificant force when Verstappen touched the fin. “

” It is clear to the Stewards that it has become a habit for the drivers to touch the cars after qualifying and the races. It was also Verstappen’s explanation, that he just used to touch that area of ​​the car which has been a point of speculation in recent races between the two teams. This general trend was considered primarily harmless and therefore has not been the subject of uniform monitoring. However, this is a violation of the Parc Fermé regulations and could have caused potential damage. “

” Considering that no direct damage was caused in the present case, in the opinion of Stewards, and that there is no precedent for sanctions for this – on the one hand; but that this is a breach of the regulations and may have serious consequences on the other, the Stewards decide to act in this matter and order a fine of € 50,000. The Stewards further note that it is expected that all teams and pilots will take notice that future breaches may result in different sanctions from the Stewards of these events. “