The FIA’s stance in these cases shows a commitment to enforcing rules on track etiquette and safety, particularly in the pit lane, an area that has seen several issues in recent races. This action aligns with their efforts to maintain fair competition and safety standards across the grid.
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.
At the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix, Lando Norris was placed under FIA investigation for an aborted start procedure. The incident began when Lance Stroll crashed on the formation lap, leading to a delayed race start. However, Norris and several other drivers, including George Russell, moved forward before the green light, breaching the rules. This mistake could have significant repercussions for Norris, especially as he battles closely with Max Verstappen for the championship
Lando Norris had to report to the stewards for starting a second formation lap when the start was aborted in Brazil. Here is their verdict on the matter.
After Lance Stroll got stuck in the gravel trap during the formation lap, therefore, the start got aborted. That means no drivers are allowed to drive away from the grid without permission. Norris did not follow that rules, and several drivers then followed him, including George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson
The drivers who lined up on the first row of the grid, Norris and Russell, were given a €5000 fine and a reprimand. No further action was necessary for the two VCARB drivers.
The stewards’ verdict
DOC-84-2024-S-o-Paulo-Grand-Prix-Infringement-Car-4-Aborted-Start-incident
DOC-85-2024-S-o-Paulo-Grand-Prix-Infringement-Car-63-Aborted-Start-incident DOC-87-2024-S-o-Paulo-Grand-Prix-Decision-Car-22-Aborted-Start-incident DOC-88-2024-S-o-Paulo-Grand-Prix-Decision-Car-30-Aborted-Star
t-incident
. The FIA is also investigating Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson for similar infringements.
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