Lewis Hamilton could face a grid penalty after the car was referred to stewards during a qualifying he led for possible DRS violations; Decision should be made on Saturday; But Verstappen was also summoned for a possible Parc Ferme violation
By Matt Morlidge and James Galloway
Last updated: 11/13/21 02:39 AM
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes car was referred to the stewards at the Sao Paulo GP for an alleged DRS violation during qualifying.
Hamilton, who will already be serving a starting place penalty of five places for the race on Sunday, led the qualifying for the F1 sprint in front of championship leader Max Verstappen – but is now the subject of a Brazilian investigation.
The hearing in Brazil was adjourned to Saturday while the stewards “await further evidence which will not be available until the morning”.
Shortly after this notification was sent by the FIA late Friday evening, Max Verstappen was summoned in a separate summons on Saturday at 12.30pm GMT in front of the commissioners about a possible violation of the Parc Ferme rules after qualifying.
Why is Hamilton’s car being examined?
The Formula 1 technical delegate said Hamilton’s Mercedes car does not meet the “maximum distance” required for DRS, the drag reduction system that increases speed on the straights with its movable flaps on the rear wing.
Here is the FIA document regarding a possible violation of the regulations for Lewis Hamilton’s car during qualifying. This could be a start on the grid or the pit lane if the technical regulations have been violated pic.twitter.com/TdB9xCORXn
– David Croft (@ CroftyF1) November 12, 2021
And when I say “back of the grid or pit lane start” I understand that this applies to the sprint (Saturday) because today’s qualifying is the grid for the sprint, not the Grand Prix (Sunday).
– David Croft (@ CroftyF1) November 12, 2021
“The adjustable positions of the uppermost rear wing element were checked for compliance with Article 3.6.3 of the technical regulations for Formula 1 2021 on starting number 44,” said a statement on Friday evening.
“The requirement for the minimum distance was met. However, the requirement for a maximum of 85 mm when using and testing the DRS system according to TD / 011-19 was not met.
“I’m referring this matter to the stewards for consideration.”
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Anthony Davidson was on the SkyPad to compare Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen qualifying rounds in Sao Paulo.
Anthony Davidson was on the SkyPad to compare the qualifying rounds of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Sao Paulo.
The DRS consists of an upper and a lower door, and it appears that the gap between these in use was larger than the rules allow.
Sky F1’s David Croft has posted on social media that Hamilton could face a starting place penalty – but only for the 24-lap sprint on Saturday and not for the race on Sunday, for which Hamilton is already a penalty due to a new Mercedes internal combustion engine Has.
Why does Verstappen see the folders now?
Stewards want to speak to the Red Bull driver about an alleged violation of Article 2.5.1 of the International Sports Act.
“Only the assigned officials are allowed to enter the Parc Fermé,” says the regulation. “No operation, inspection, adjustment or repair is permitted unless authorized by the same officers or by applicable regulations.”
And now Max Verstappen has been appointed to the commissioner … that Article 2.5.1 refers to the “operation, control, tuning or repair” of cars in the Parc Ferme. # skyf1 pic.twitter.com/d6GBpmzEgP
– Rachel Brookes (@RachelBrookesTV) November 13, 2021
Fan video uploaded to social media after qualifying at Parc Ferme appeared to show Verstappen going to Hamilton’s Mercedes to touch his rear wing after doing the same with his own Red Bull.
What happened in qualifying?
Hamilton dominated qualifying on Friday and beat Verstappen, whom he left behind by almost half a second in the title race 19 points behind.
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Lewis Hamilton was delighted to have led qualifying for the Sao Paulo GP. The Mercedes driver started first in the sprint ahead of Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton was delighted to have led qualifying for the Sao Paulo GP. The Mercedes driver started first in the sprint ahead of Max Verstappen.
“I definitely loved the day,” said a beaming Hamilton in Interlagos. “We’re working so hard to get this car right.
“I sat in it [practice] Throughout the hour trying to change the right setup the fear you get is insane. I often get it wrong, but today I got it right. The car was really nice to drive.
“It was everything I wanted so I could keep pushing lap after lap and it was purple, purple, purple and it won every time.
“I don’t know how we can start from a lead and them [Red Bull] to be half a second in front of them, to be behind them. But they will be very strong in the race. I hope Valtteri (Bottas) has a good start. “
The F1 sprint can be seen live on Sky Sports F1 on Saturday at 7.30 p.m., the Sao Paulo GP on Sunday at 5 p.m.
