Local hero Felipe Massa was excluded from the result of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix after one of the tyres of his Williams auto was found to be too hot at the start of the race. The Grove-based team are expected to appeal the ruling.
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It means Romain Grosjean from Lotus moves up to P8 while Max Verstappen in the Toro Rosso takes P9 with the second Lotus of Pastor Maldonado claiming the final point.
“The temperature of the right-rear tyre was measured in compliance with the FIA technical directive TD/029-15 (that relates to minimum tyre starting pressures and maximum tyre temperatures in blankets)”, read a statement from the FIA.
The right-rear on Massa’s Williams was measured at 137 degrees centigrade, 27 degrees above the maximum of 110 allowed by Pirelli.
Massa’s tyre was within the limits of the pre-race tyre temperatures however, with his 20.6psi 0.1psi above the minimum tyre pressure.
The issue was referred to the stewards for consideration who decided Massa’s auto was in “breach of Article 12.5.1 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, Article 3.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations and Article 12.11.i of the FIA worldwide Sporting Code” and excluded the Brazilian from the race results.
“I have no idea [why]”.
“Struggling in practice, qualifying and the race so I don’t know. With the pace I had I don’t believe anything was different”.
Williams’ Rob Smedley has confirmed the team will be appealing the disqualification of Felipe Massa at Interlagos.
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Nico Rosberg was fastest in FP2 ahead of Mercedes team-mate and drivers’ champion Lewis Hamilton. Globo were close to quitting F1 previous year, and at the last minute renewed their contract to cover F1 in Brazil until 2020. However, Hamilton’s victory stood after three hours of deliberations by the stewards.
