Mercedes has successfully avoided penalties following an investigation into a technical issue regarding setup sheets before the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session. The F1 team was initially flagged by technical delegate Jo Bauer for failing to submit these sheets in a timely manner, raising concerns over a potential breach of Article 40.1 of the sporting regulations.
Investigation Findings
The core of the situation arose when it was reported that Mercedes had not submitted setup sheets for both of its cars 12 minutes into the qualifying session. During this time, drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were already on track. The regulations require that each team submit technical information before their cars leave the pit lane for the first time during qualifying.
However, Mercedes was able to demonstrate to the stewards that the documents had indeed been sent via email to the appropriate FIA department. It was determined that an IT security issue had prevented the sheets from being received on time.
Impact on Qualifying Performance
As a result of the investigation, Russell retains his fourth position on the starting grid, while Antonelli, who faced an earlier exit in Q1, will begin the race in 17th place. This outcome underscores the importance of compliance with technical regulations in Formula 1.
Potential Penalties in Question
The case raises intriguing questions regarding penalties for failure to submit required documents. The FIA’s regulations do not stipulate a specific consequence for such a breach. Potential penalties can range from reprimands and fines to grid penalties or even disqualification from qualifying sessions.
- In 2016, Williams received an official reprimand for late submission of setup information.
- The team cited changes in their internal systems as the cause for not meeting the deadline.
Other Teams Facing Scrutiny
Following the qualifying session in Las Vegas, Alpine was also summoned by the stewards and fined €5,000 due to a tyre infringement. They had returned a set of tyres to the FIA as required but failed to register the return electronically.
This incident emphasizes the ongoing importance of technical compliance and the consequences that teams face in high-stakes Formula 1 environments.
