The real story behind the fuel issue *SPOILERS*

When the story broke about BMW and Williams having used illegaly cold fuel at the Brazilian GP I brought up, that there are a million parameters on how these temps can be measured etc. Well, it turns out, that's just what dawned on the FIA:
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http://www.blick.ch/sport/formel1/weil-die-fia-am-falschen-ort-mass-74178

Am Ende war die ganze Angelegenheit ein Sturm im Wasserglas, denn das Benzin muss gar nicht in den Tankanlagen gemessen werden, wo der Sprit logischerweise um einige Grade kälter ist.

Halten Sie sich fest: Die FIA müsste – so das Reglement – den Sprit am Auto messen! Dass heisst am Einfüllstutzen. Doch dort hat es gar keine Sensoren…

Unglaublich, da haben die FIA-Kontrolleure also das ganze Jahr am falschen Ort gemessen!

Und nach dem Rapport des Technischen Delegierten Jo Bauer wiesen die drei FIA-Rennkommissäre unter dem Vorsitz des oft umstrittenen Briten Tony Scott Andrews in ihrer Urteilsbegründung darauf hin, dass «genügend Zweifel über einen Regelverstoss bestehen!»

Und weiter: «Die Sache wird dadurch kompliziert, dass zwischen den von der Formel 1 (FOM) und Meteo France gemessenen Aussentemperaturen eine beträchtliche Diskrepanz besteht.» BLICK sagt welche: Die Formel-1-Messung zeigte 37 Grad, die von Meteo France 33 Grad an…
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Not translating it verbatim, just repeating the key points:
- the rules say that the temperature has to be measured at the nozzle, but there are no sensors
- the temps were measured at the tank, but that is always chilled
- the FIA basically measured the temps at the wrong place all year long
- FOM measured ambient temperature of 37 degrees, whereas Meteo France indicated 33 degrees

Bottom line: Too many inconsistencies to make a verdict. McLaren's appeal is hopeless.

 

Thanks for the insight and clarification. Given LH has decided to reject an appeal won WDC, hopefully we can all move on to next years circus of racing delights

 

Yep time to bring down the BIG TOP until next year

 

..why in HELL they keep on doing this...HOW can they , I guess all those mistakes are worst when locals dont speak english as a native lenguage...or else how do you explain this?...Malasya 1999 was another good example...

they dont have enough money to send a FIA certified officer to make SURE the post-race findings are accurate according to meassuring methods and all?

...or is just another GRAY environment so they can keep a hand on everything to be twisted when needed?

 

The answer to that is easy! It's because Max and Bernie are scumbag morons, and are running the show!

 

i knew this the time Kimster crossed the line. Mac aren't shy and don't seem to know how to lose in grace.

 

Thanks Andreas, great info.

 

A thumbs up from Clinton just about makes my day.

 

+1
+ Thanx!

 

Oh, my avatar is Clinton? I thought it was the Dali Lahma.

Oh well.

 

Your welcome, but the kudos really go to Blick's Roger Benoit who made the effort to look into this. My feeling is, that he got a tip off from Bauer, whom I believe is his buddy.

 

There's also the fact that Hamilton was at least 10 secs behind Nick. If the BMWs and the one Williams had been running higher temp fuel, would it have been enough to allow Hamilton a chance to race them? I don't think so. Worst case scenario. the FIA disqualifies the BMWs and the Williams, but doesn't move Hamilton any spots. That's actually in the regs, so the FIA can do that. Still though, Mclaren really just seem bent on dragging Ferrari through all this drama for no good reason other than revenge. I hope that $100 fine really hurts them next year. And next year any little BS Mclaren pulls (ie like the slight block Hamilton did on Kimi in Q3), Ferrari should protests, appeal, protest, appeal etc.

 

yeah I did a search on "Jo Bauer FIA" the other day when this rubbish started and it came up with all the scrutineering done by the FIA all year as he is the main technical guy for the FIA, some interesting results as to who ddi what in Parc Ferme and other insights as to how many cars are checked pre and post races .... worth a quick look

 

The difference between 37C and 33C is 4 degrees. Thought the rule says max is 10 degrees. Huh?

Help. What's the deal here?

 

Let me understand what you're suggesting here. McLaren are to be condemned for appealing this year but you think Ferrari should do the same thing at every possible opportunity next year? Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

37 vs 33 is the difference between the two measured ambient temperatures. Goes to show that they don't even know what ambient temp is. As I expected there would be a debate over that as well.

 

Sounds like the people at McL and F1 don't have enough to do. As Shakespeare said, "Much ado about nothing."

Thanks for your post and input. Much appreciated. it is not unusual for themometers to differ by 1 degree. 3 degrees is suspect. Of course measuring in the shade or sun, in or out of the wind, with a beer in your hand, etc. are all variables that have to be accounted for. Any pit babes nearby?

 

We have a saying in the 1/24 slot car racing world:

'Do not implement a rule you cannot enforce'.

 

I don't think he said he would reject it.

He said:

I personally don't think he will refuse to accept the WDC title if it is given to him. He will say something like "Well, it isn't ideal, but thank you".

 

A couple more updates, this time from German Bild:

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http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/sport/motorsport/2007/10/24/zoff-mercedes/hamilton-weltmeister,geo=2742558.html

Denn: Die Fia ging von der Außentemperatur 37 Grad aus. Die Teams wurden aber vom Wetterdienst Meteo France mit der Info 33 Grad gefüttert.

Auch der Artikel 168 des Sport-Codes könnte alles kippen.

Dort steht, dass falls die Rennkommissare Fahrer disqualifizieren, sie selbst entscheiden können, ob dahinter platzierte Piloten wie Hamilton aufrücken.
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- It explains the difference for the temperature measurements: The FIA measured 37 Degrees Celsius, however Meteo France measured 33 degrees and that's the temperature they passed on to the teams.
- Even if the BMW and Williams drivers would get disqualified, it is up to the FIA to decide whether Hamilton moves up or not.

 

I'm not sure that he could refuse it even if he wants to. He might elect not to participate in any official presentation but if the authorities say he's the world champion there's not much he could do about it. However, I don't think it will happen - for the sake of the sport I hope not.