Ferrari FINED after qualifying day for a sporting infringement, following the…read more.
Ferrari has been handed a fine of €5,000 following a breach of tyre usage regulations during the third practice session of the Singapore Grand Prix. The issue arose during Charles Leclerc’s session when his team made unsanctioned adjustments to his car’s tyre pressures, violating a technical directive.
In the third and final practice session at the Marina Bay Circuit, Leclerc struggled with grip on the C5 soft tyre compound. After completing one flying lap, he returned to the pits for adjustments before heading back out for another timed lap. During this short pit stop, Ferrari mechanics were observed lowering the tyre pressures on Leclerc’s car. This action caught the attention of the stewards, prompting an investigation into the matter.
The stewards called Ferrari to clarify the incident, leading to a thorough review of the video footage and technical data provided by the FIA’s Technical Delegate. Ferrari admitted that they had failed to comply with the required protocols. According to Technical Directive 003N, point 2, teams are permitted to make adjustments to tyres, including reducing the pressure, but specific procedures must be followed. One of the key requirements is that tyre temperatures must first be recorded, and all tyre adjustments must be performed under the supervision of an FIA representative.
However, Ferrari did not follow these procedures, which constitutes a breach of Article 30.5a of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations. This article governs the proper handling of tyres during practice sessions, qualifying, and races. The regulations exist to ensure that all teams adhere to the same standards, particularly regarding safety and performance. As a result of Ferrari’s failure to follow these instructions, the stewards imposed a financial penalty.
In their official statement, the stewards noted: “The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 16 (Charles Leclerc) and reviewed video footage and technical data supplied by the Technical Delegate. The Team Representative of Ferrari admitted that the team failed to follow the instructions laid out in Technical Directive 003N, point 2.”
They further emphasized that Ferrari’s infraction occurred during a free practice session, and while adjustments to tyre pressures are allowed, the process must follow the FIA’s guidelines. The lack of compliance with these protocols, even in a practice session, is still considered a regulatory breach. The stewards took into account that this incident took place during practice rather than in a race or qualifying session, which may have influenced the severity of the punishment.
Ultimately, the breach resulted in Ferrari being fined €5,000, a relatively minor penalty in Formula 1 but a reminder of the strict regulatory framework governing the sport. Despite the incident, the team and Leclerc were able to proceed with the rest of the weekend, though the fine underscores the importance of adhering to all FIA technical and sporting regulations.
This fine adds to the growing list of recent penalties handed out to teams in Formula 1 as the FIA continues to closely monitor technical compliance, even during less critical sessions like practice runs.
