Decision Car 16 Alleged Driving A Car In An Unsafe Condition
Mexico City Grand Prix · 2023 · 29 October 2023 · Doc 62
- Driver
- Charles Leclerc
- Team
- Scuderia Ferrari
- Session
- Race
2023 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
27 - 29 October 2023
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Scuderia Ferrari Document 62 Date 29 October 2023 Time 17:30
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 53) and heard from the driver and team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 16 - Charles Leclerc Competitor Scuderia Ferrari Time 14:07
Session Race
Fact Car 16 was driven on track with visible damage, prior to detachment of bodywork in turn 1. Infringement Alleged breach of Article 3.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. Decision No further action. Reason The Stewards heard from the team representative, the FIA Technical Delegate and the Director of the FIA Single-Seater Department (the latter via Zoom) and viewed video and team radio evidence. The team representative explained that after contact between Car 16 and Car 11 in Turn 1, Lap 1, it had monitored the situation and was of the view that the structure of the wing assembly was sound and that it did not expect the end plate to detach. It tried to check the situation from live TV but was unable to find suitable video. However on lap 3 it noted a serious deterioration in the data and was about to take action when the end plate detached. The FIA representatives explained that from October 2022 it was standard procedure agreed by the teams and the FIA, confirmed in January 2023, that the detachment of an end plate and the location of its final landing place, was not to be deemed as "unsafe". This was confirmed to the Stewards' satisfaction by the sighting of an email dated October 22 2022 and minutes of the SAC meeting of January 2023. Accordingly the detachment of the endplate is not deemed to cause the car to be "unsafe" and therefore no further action is warranted. 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.
The Stewards Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.