So the Red Bull attempt to have Hamilton's #F1 #britishgrandprix penalty increased has failed. Here is a short thread explaining why and the impressive lengths Red Bull went to for the case - including a special test run.
Red Bull conducted a private test run at Silverstone on 22nd June, with Alex Albon at the wheel of a RB15. This test run took place during the opening days of. @FormulaStudent - disturbing the scrutineers at Copse Corner!
https://twitter.com/DoubleDashMM/status/1418126189345058816
There was confusion about why Red Bull would be running such fast laps with Alex Albon on a circuit the championship had just been to. But it is now very clear what they were doing.
https://twitter.com/redbullracing/status/1418300062350807040
It seems they were re-creating the line taken by Lewis Hamilton on Lap 1 of the British Grand Prix. What they found doing that was compelling enough for the team to lodge a petition for a right of review of Hamilton's penalty.
To replicate the lines Hamilton took (and one must assume Verstappen & Leclerc - though this is not stated) GPS data was used and Albon had to drive the RB15 in the exact same way.
The results of this test were then presented to the FIA.
The results of this test were then presented to the FIA.
The test data was described by the FIA as:
"Slides created by the Competitor, for the Petition, which showed "a re- enactment of Hamilton's Lap 1 line at Silverstone on 22 July 2021.." based on a lap allegedly driven by another driver (Alexander Albon)."
#F1
"Slides created by the Competitor, for the Petition, which showed "a re- enactment of Hamilton's Lap 1 line at Silverstone on 22 July 2021.." based on a lap allegedly driven by another driver (Alexander Albon)."
#F1
But despite going to this impressive effort the Hungarian GP Stewards did not accept this as "a significant and relevant new element, discovered which was unavailable to the parties seeking the review at the time of the decision concerned"
Instead this along with GPS data and some simulations was rejected as evidence as it was not "discovered" but created for the purposes of submissions to support the case. And were based on evidence that was available at the time of the decision (namely the GPS data).
So Red Bulls Petition for a Review was rejected. This is an important distinction. It means that the Stewards did not review the incident at all, they looked at the evidence and its origin - and deemed that it did not meet the requirements for the petition to be accepted.
22nd July!!!
But there is more! Ok I've broken the thread slightly but to answer some questions - the Test with the RB15 with Albon was not covered by the cost cap - here is why...
Red Bull used the RB15 - the regulations define this as "Testing a Previous Car" or TPC.
The cost cap has a specific provision for this under "Heritage Assets"
The cost cap has a specific provision for this under "Heritage Assets"
Heritage Asset Activities = "Testing and
maintenance of Previous Cars and Historic Cars" and is specifically excluded from the cost cap.
maintenance of Previous Cars and Historic Cars" and is specifically excluded from the cost cap.
So by using the RB15 Red Bull will not have incurred any hits on the cost cap, which is really what the $1.8m issue is all about. Pretty astute thinking I'd say from Red Bull on this.
So that is that, Hamilton's penalty stands. No further discussion on the matter.
At least not where the Stewards/FIA are concerned anyway.
At least not where the Stewards/FIA are concerned anyway.
So I would love it if @redbullracing would put the evidence out there in public - to let the fans decide. I reckon it would be great on Tech Talk!
I'm sure I'll discuss this more on the @F1 TV Pit Lane Channel more over the weekend so tune in. But for now this not so short a thread after all ends!
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