BMW being investigated !! MAJOR BREAKING NEWS ***SPOILER***

I think we are probably overreacting here. I highly doubt the FIA is going to mess with BMW/Williams points.

First of all, this has happened before, and resulted in loss of WCC points. At most, those teams would lose WCC points, which would put McLaren over the top, and would greatly reduce the $$ they would otherwise be paying in the fine (since it's $100mm less lost WCC money).

Second, I think the FIA is smart enough to know this is a big bomb that could blow in their face if they are not careful. Most likely they will temper their reaction and not mess with the ultimate outcome.

Third, wasn't it the stewards who are doing the investigating and not the FIA? Don't forget that stewards decisions are often overturned by the FIA - at least it's not uncommon.

Fourth, undoubtedly the stewards/officials had been told to make sure everything was squeaky clean at this race. What may previously have been spot checks probably resulted in everyone being tested. I doubt it's a big conspiracy, but more likely the results of the super-detail-oriented checks that happened to every team and every car. IMO not a huge scandal, maybe worthy of a smack on the wrist to the perpetrators.

And Fifth, even if something is turned up there are appeals processes that would allow the FIA to carefully consider the (massive) fallout that would accompany any fiddling with the rules/results post-season.

 

I want to know what the temp was on McMercs

 

Say it ain't so Joe.

 

from the bbc

 

True it does seem that interest in F1 from the Hamilton Factor has drawn attention to even the most minor of rule infractions (see Lewis's tyre issue on Friday for 1).

 

The FIA would be fearing for their lives if they took away the title from Kimi.

 

yes but iirc that time it was deemed that no performance advantage was given by the irregularity.
chilled fuel however would give 3 advantages - refuelling time, fuel carried, 3 laps or so of higher bhp

 

+1

As hot as it was in Brazil I think that might have something to do with it. What is ambient temperature? At the FIA control station, inside the Williams garage, outside the garage? On the tarmac or over concrete?

13 vs 10 degrees Celsius is a very minor temperature variation. That's why I can see a lengthy FIA session in Paris next week with all the parties showing computer simulations of performance gains etc.

 

If they give it to Hamilton, his title should be accompanied by an asterisk just like the Bonds baseball that was branded with an asterisk. Kimi won fair and square.

 

If the rules were broken the FIA must serve the penalty, if they don't then what justice is there?

McLaren don't have any points and should not get any bonus TV money.

If the FIA don't react they will incur more wrath than if they did follow through with the penalty, unless they keep the finding a secret or out right lie.

Something like this is pretty much cast in stone. The data is there, the data has been released, game over in terms of appeal. Even if equipment failed resulting in the fuel being cooled, a violation has still taken place.

I think the penalties are clear. If they are changed to keep Kimi as the title holder, heads will be called for by the fans, media and the rest of the teams.

The FIA would be bound to look at this one instance. They can't factor the Championship into it, if that was the case the MS and GF collision of last year would have been looked at. It of course wasn't and shouldn't have been.

 

I don't know how that translates into extra speed on the track. Could it mean a fraction faster? It is immaterial since they were not in the hunt.

 

Just got me Hamilton hat back out the bin and glued his poster back on me wall

 

Wrong-championships should be decided on the track, not the courtroom....performance increase is at best miniscule, if at all.....strip teams of their CC points and leave it at that.....If I'm Ferrari I bail on F1 if they elevate Hamilton....do Indy/sportscars for a few years, they will still sell all the cars they can make.....

 

well with the spy story Hamilton and Alonso did not lose points while MacLaren lost all points and got a 100 milion euro fine!

If this is how it works ! then with fuel temps,the teams should be penalised only not the pilots.



Kimi Won and thats It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Final.
Put it how you like we all know that Ferrari is far superior than the rest!

If they give the title to Hamilton I will not watch F1 next season!

 

Yes but that was a fuel "Fingerprint" issue at the Brazil race in 1995. It was judged that no performance benefit was gained. Hard to make that point here.

 

The report..
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Stewards' probe puts title in doubt -- itv-f1.com

A doubt hung over Kimi Raikkonen’s Formula 1 world championship after it emerged that Brazilian Grand Prix stewards are investigating Williams and BMW Sauber for technical irregularities.

Representatives of the two teams were summoned to the stewards’ office on Sunday evening after their cars – which finished in fourth, fifth and sixth places – failed post-race scrutineering checks.

At issue is believed to be the temperature of the fuel samples taken from the cars of Nico Rosberg (Williams), Robert Kubica (BMW) and Nick Heidfeld (BMW), which reportedly did not conform to rules stating it must be within 10C of the ambient temperature.

Were the three drivers to be disqualified from Sunday’s race, Lewis Hamilton would inherit fourth place – and the title.

However, given the ramifications of delivering such a bombshell, it is thought more likely that a different penalty will be applied.

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I agree with that last sentence.

 

One must be careful when applying logic and reason to the decisions of the FIA.....

 

Only a few degrees at most.

They said ambient temp, not track temp.

What about the brake duct penalty back a few seasons, two teams were DQ'd for allowing a little too much air to the front brakes, that seems to be the same "minor crime" this is. What was the outcome for that? Oh that's right a total DQ for both teams. OUCH! GET READY FERRARI FANS!

F1.COM
"Unfortunately, the front brake ducts on our cars were found to be illegal after today's Canadian Grand Prix,” confirmed Gascoyne. “We presented a case to the Stewards of the Meeting, attributing the cause to a stack-up of manufacturing tolerances, stating that even with this, the brake ducts were still within a generally accepted tolerance level. The Stewards of the Meeting decided not to accept this case and whilst we are disappointed to lose our hard-fought eighth and tenth places, we have to accept their decision. It is Toyota's policy to always run cars that conform to all regulations. This is simply a regrettable and unforeseen issue that led to no competitive advantage."

John Howett, President of the Toyota team, added: "After an internal discussion with the relevant personnel, we intended to appeal against the disqualification imposed by the Stewards of the Meeting, however we were unable to meet the FIA appeal deadline. I must stress that the alleged technical infringement resulted in absolutely no increase in our performance level during today's race. The brake ducts on our race cars were still within a generally accepted tolerance level. We reluctantly accept this unpleasant penalty and must now look to next week's grand prix in Indianapolis."

 

Your only going to be taking it down soon, so why waste your time. Also, Hamilton being in the trash is somewhat ironic

 

It reminds me all of the flexible barge boards again: Ferrari's barge boards flexed and were technically illegal. But then genius Brawn stepped in and said, well it depends from what angle you measure the flexing.

I see a similar case here: How do you measure fuel and ambient temperatures, how much of a gain is that really and even if the fuel is delivered too cold (we're talking about 1 degree Fahrenheit here roughly), how long did it stay that cold with track temps of 145 degrees F? There are a millions parameters Ferrari can bring into play. And why didn't the stewards not intervene earlier? Did they only learn about the temps after the race? This is not as black and white as some think.

 

Clearly the fuel in them there cars were illegal. Well out of the 10c range.

 

So if Kimi and Ferrari used super high powered V10's for this race and had an extra 200 hp, everything should overlooked?

 

Where's Ross when you need him... "You see Mr. Bauer, 3C is well within the allowable manufacturing tolerances of the FIA measuring device...."

 

If the FIA is smart they will take away the WCC points under the explanation that while it did give them an advantage, it would not have accounted for the time difference and therefore the WDC standings remain.

Althought this is the FIA we're talking about.... they may as well just DQ Kimi and Felipe too, and get it over with - maybe just award the WDC to Button or Sato or something