20/09/2015
NEWS STORY
In the wake of 'Pressuregate' at Monza, the FIA has issued an official statement on procedures.
As previously reported, following the "misunderstanding" at Monza, the FIA and Pirelli have agreed new tyre pressure procedures.
A late check on the first four cars on the grid at Monza led to fears that Lewis Hamilton might be stripped of his win. However, following a two-hour investigation it was deemed that no further action need be taken as Mercedes had not done anything illegal. However, the stewards called on the FIA and Pirelli to provide clear guidance to the teams on measurement procedures.
Ahead of its meeting with e FIA in Singapore, Pirelli said: "We will be defining, together with the FIA, a clearer procedure enabling the teams to more easily follow the rules regarding tyre usage. This is important to avoid any misunderstandings, by giving the teams more precise indications to comply with, thus avoiding what happened to Mercedes in Monza."
Following the meeting, which involved Pirelli's Mario Isola and the FIA's Charlie Whiting, the sport's governing body subsequently informed the teams that it had "been informed by Pirelli that their tyres may only be operated safely if the prescriptions set out in their preview document at each event are strictly followed".
A subsequent directive issued to all the teams this morning, ahead of the race, reads:
We have been informed by Pirelli that their tyres may only be operated safely if the prescriptions set out in their Preview document at each Event are strictly followed. We will therefore be enforcing the following parameters:
1) Minimum tyre starting pressure front and rear
The starting pressures will be established as follows:
a) During all practice sessions and qualifying, it will be the pressure measured immediately after the set of tyres in question is fitted to the car.
b) The race start set will be measured at any time after the five minute signal.
c) During the race it will be the pressure measured immediately before the set of tyres in question is fitted to the car.
In all cases:
d) When measured, the pressure must be equal to or higher than the minimum set out in the Preview. If the pressure is below the minimum requirement teams will be given the opportunity to increase it, however, at no time after the five minute signal may pressures in the race start set be reduced.
e) Measurements may be taken from any corner of the car.
f) Measurements must be made with a gauge calibrated at or by Pirelli, and subsequently
sealed by the FIA.
After the checks have been carried out, and any necessary adjustment made in the presence of a scrutineer, no further adjustments may be made.
2) Maximum EOS camber front and rear
Procedures for carrying out these checks have already been established.
3) Maximum tyre temperatures in blankets
Tyre temperatures in blankets will be checked with an IR gun as before. These checks will be made both on the tread and the sidewall of the tyre. When measured, the temperature must be equal to or lower than the maximum set out in the Preview.
These checks will also be carried out at future Events until further notice.