06/09/2015
NEWS STORY
Lewis Hamilton's win in today's Italian Grand Prix will stand, following a tense couple of hours of post-race investigation by the race stewards.
As the paddock held its breath, wondering if and how Mercedes and Hamilton might be punished after pre-race tyre pressures were deemed to be below the recommended levels, the stewards finally released the following statement:
"Having heard from the Technical Delegate, the Team Representatives and the Pirelli Team Tyre engineer, the Stewards have determined that the pressure in the tyres concerned were at the minimum start pressure recommended by Pirelli when they were fitted to the car.
"In making this determination regarding the pressures, the Stewards noted that the tyre warming blankets had been disconnected from their power source, as is normal procedure, and the tyres were significantly below the maximum permitted tyre blanket temperature at the time of the FIA’s measurement on the grid, and at significantly different temperatures from other cars measured on the grid.
"Further, the Stewards are satisfied that the team followed the currently specified procedure, supervised by the Tyre Manufacturer, for the safe operation of the tyres.
"Therefore the Stewards decide to take no further action. Nevertheless, the Stewards recommend that the Tyre Manufacturer and the FIA hold further meetings to provide clear guidance to the teams on measurement protocols."
The ruling means that Hamilton heads to Singapore, round thirteen of the 2015 championship, with a 53 point lead over his closest rival, teammate Nico Rosberg.
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.