Infringement Car 2 Changes Made During Parc Ferme
Japanese Grand Prix · 2023 · 24 September 2023 · Doc 34
- Driver
- Logan Sargeant
- Team
- Williams Racing
- Session
- Qualifying
2023 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
22 - 24 September 2023
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Williams Racing Document 34 Date 24 September 2023 Time 12:51
The Stewards, having received a report from the Technical Delegate (documents 28 & 29), summoned (document 30) and heard from the team representative, have considered the following matters and determine the following:
No / Driver 2 - Logan Sargeant Competitor Williams Racing Time 10:36 Session Qualifying Fact Modification of parts/changes to the set-up under Parc Fermé conditions and assembling a chassis to more than an assembly comprising a survival cell, thus having a third car available to the Competitor. Infringement Breach of Articles 27.1, 27.2, 40.6 and 40.9 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. Decision Car 2 is required to start the Race from pit lane. In addition a 10 second time penalty is imposed. Reason The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 2 (Logan Sargeant). The Technical Delegate reported to the Stewards (document 28) that the competitor worked on the car two hours after the chequered flag. The report mentioned that the relevant chassis was assembled to more than an assembly comprising a survival cell as defined in Article 27.2 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations and therefore has to be considered as a third car available to the competitor. In his further report document 29, the Technical Delegate explained that during Parc Fermé parts of different specifications from the ones originally used during Q1 were fitted. After hearing from the competitor, the Technical Delegate and the Single Seater Director, the Stewards came to the conclusion that during qualifying (Q1), the Williams Racing car number 02 suffered an accident where Chassis 01 got damaged beyond repair. Following the qualifying session, Chassis 03 was then assembled to a level exceeding that defined in Article 27.2 of the Sporting Regulations, which defines the state of assembly for a Chassis to be considered to be a car. The Williams Racing team was therefore found to be in breach of Article 27.1 of the Sporting Regulations, which states that each Competitor may not have more than two cars available at any time during a Competition. Furthermore it should be noted that the available working time during Parc Fermé for the assembly of a complete car is limited, and hence in case of severe accident, this
The Stewards may jeopardise the participation of a car in the race. It is also noted that car 2 has been subjected to a change of specification, and therefore, under Article 40.9 is due to start the race from the pit lane in any case for a different offence. According to TD 021/Issue G dated on 22/08/23 the minimum penalty for an offence will be a start from the pit lane. In addition to this, a further penalty may be imposed by the Stewards. As a start from pit lane is already imposed for the modification of parts, a further penalty for having a third chassis available was appropriate. The Stewards recommend that this issue gets discussed again in the Sporting Advisory Committee. Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.