04 June 2023 , 16:27
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Mercedes were called in front of the Formula 1 stewards over alleged parc ferme breaches at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Silver Arrows enjoyed an excellent race in Barcelona on Sunday. Max Verstappen romped to victory but Lewis Hamilton was comfortably second quickest over the race with George Russell also showing great pace to complete the team's first double podium of the year.
The Brits were all smiles as they took to the podium to collect their trophies for all their hard work. But they will have been concerned to learn that their team was soon under investigation by the stewards over the post-race procedure.
An official FIA document confirmed that the Mercedes team representatives and Hamilton and Russell's physiotherapists had been called to the stewards' offices. The charge is an "alleged breach of Article 12.2.1 i) of the International Sporting Code and noncompliance with the Media Delegate’s Post Race Procedures – breach of Parc Ferme instructions".
That instruction given out on Sunday morning was: "Other than the team mechanics (with cooling fans if necessary), officials and FIA pre-approved television crews and FIA approved photographers, no-one else will be allowed in the designated area once the cars are in the Parc Ferme area (no team PR personnel).
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"Driver physios must wait outside the cool down room behind the podium until the podium ceremony has concluded following the instructions given to all teams by the Media Delegate."
Hamilton is likely to keep smiling with little threat of a sporting penalty for Mercedes' alleged parc ferme breach (AP)Fortunately for both the drivers, it was never likely that their podium finishes would be under threat. A similar breach of the rules was identified at last year's Austrian Grand Prix, after which the teams involved were given suspended fines.
More fines were likely this time if the physios were judged to be guilty, though this time they may not be suspended. That proved to be the case, as Mercedes were slapped with an £8,600 fine and there was never any concern that a sporting penalty might be handed out.
Mercedes have moved up to second place in the constructors' standings thanks to this result and an off weekend for Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard could manage only seventh place behind team-mate Lance Stroll with Aston Martin struggling for pace more than has been the case most of the time this year.