Mercedes has been fined €10,000 for adjusting the tire pressures on both of their cars prior to the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Mercedes engineers were observed making modifications to their tires on the grid after the initial race start was aborted.
Such actions violate TD003 and were subsequently reported to the stewards. FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer noted that Mercedes released pressure from the tires on both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s cars.
The stewards determined to fine Mercedes €10,000 after concluding that “tire pressures were adjusted (pressure released) with wheels already fitted to the car in contravention to TD003.”
As a result of the fine, Russell retains his fourth-place finish in Sao Paulo, while Hamilton keeps the final point in 10th place.
The stewards explained their reasoning:
“After the race start was aborted, the 10-minute notice was immediately given for the new start. 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 while the tire pressures were adjusted by the team, they remained within the allowed parameters.”
Taking into account the unusual circumstances surrounding the compressed timetable, aborted start, and grid access logistics, the stewards concluded that a fine for a procedural breach was appropriate in this instance. “Normally, a breach of this nature within a competitive session would carry a sporting penalty, but it is not appropriate in this case. However, this decision should not be considered a precedent for any similar breach in the future, as the circumstances are deemed unique.”