Mercedes F1 grabbed the pole position; Now, they’ll start at the rear following the violation
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are in a championship battle for the F1 title. This weekend, the series lands in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Hamilton grabbed the pole position in Friday qualifying. However, due to an engine change has was already set to lose 5 grid spots for the race.
Now, Hamilton has been further penalized. After qualifying, officials discovered something they didn’t like about the rear wing of the Mercedes F1 car. Specially, this was in regards to the drag reduction system.
The rear wing of the machine was confiscated by officials.
Officials also noted at 10:00pm last night that Hamilton and the Mercedes team were called for a meeting the next morning. That meeting has since taken place.
Ironically, Max Verstappen was also called to a meeting for a violation of his own. Verstappen walked over to Hamilton’s car to touch and inspect the rear wing of Hamilton’s car.
Related: Versteppen has since been fined for the touch (Video)
Lewis Hamilton wing violation
“it was unlikely that Verstappen’s actions caused the fault, however [Mercedes] felt that it was an open question.”
“In lay terms, there is a gap between the upper and lower parts of the rear wing. When the DRS is not activated this gap must be between 10mm and 15mm. The car passed this part of the test.
“When DRS is activated, which raises the upper element of the wing to a flatter position, the gap must be between 10mm and 85mm. The maximum gap is measured, in accordance with TD/011-19, by pushing an 85mm gauge against the gap with a maximum load of 10N (ten newtons.) If the gauge goes through then the car has failed the test.
“In this case, the gauge would not pass through at the inner section of the wing, but did at the outer section of the wing. This test was repeated four times with two different gauges, once being done in the presence of the Stewards and representatives of the Competitor.”
Mercedes says unintended; Penalty issued
Intend to break a rule isn’t important. The rule is in place not to be broken regardless.
Mercedes’ Chief Designer John Owen blamed the issue on “additional play either in the DRS actuator or the pivots at the end, or some combination or other fault with the mechanism, or incorrect assembly of the parts.”
The FIA did clarify that the same design had passed previous tests. They added there didn’t appear to be, “any intent to exceed the maximum dimension either by action or design.”
“Tt shall be no defense to claim that no performance advantage was obtained. Therefore, the Stewards order the usual penalty for technical non-compliance of disqualification from the qualifying session.”
Now, Max Verstappen will lead the field to the green. Hamilton will sit at the back of the grid.
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Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes F1 | F1
