Following new video evidence from Mercedes, the team asked the FIA to double-check whether Verstappen broke the rules in his defense against Lewis Hamilton at last weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
The matter revolves around Verstappen’s defensive driving in Turn 4 on lap 48, when the Red Bull driver pushed Hamilton out of the corner when he too ran too far.
Mercedes took action after a new onboard video of Verstappen’s driving was released, which was not available to the commissioners during the race and which showed the Dutchman was not turning as much as would normally be expected.
After a video hearing before the Qatar Grand Prix, the FIA stewards debated for several hours and have now decided to adjourn for the evening.
In a short statement by the FIA it says: “After today’s hearing with representatives from Mercedes and Red Bull, the stewards are now examining the matter and will publish their decision tomorrow.”
The rules governing the right of review are clear, requiring competitors to bring “a significant and relevant new element” that was “not available to the parties requesting review at the time of the relevant decision”.
Immediately after the race, F1 Race Director Michael Masi revealed that the decision not to examine Verstappen’s driving style was made without looking at a forward-facing on-board camera.
F1’s current technology only limits one live feed from each car and at the time of the incident, Red Bull von Verstappen was broadcasting its rear-facing drive on board.
The recordings from the front camera were only available for download after the race and were finally published by F1 on Tuesday.
When asked if it could be a ‘smoking gun’, Masi said, “Could be, absolutely. Possibly. But no, we didn’t have access to it. And obviously it will be downloaded. And as soon as the commercial rights holder delivers it, we look. “
While there is no doubt that the onboard video is new and not available to the parties at the time of the decision, the stewards must decide whether or not it is relevant to the case.
The FIA was able to decide that it was satisfied with the external camera views the officers were seeing at the time of the incident.
However, if the stewards grant a review right, a separate hearing will take place to analyze the details of the case.
The post The FIA is postponing the decision on Mercedes’ request for review to Friday first appeared on monter-une-startup.Did you miss our previous article...
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