Ricciardo excluded from qualifying in Singapore, to start at the back of the grid
Due to a technical infringement found on the MGU-K of Daniel Ricciardo's R.S.19, he has been disqualified from the session and will therefore start at the back of the grid for the race.
The usual post-qualifying checks identified an anomaly in the power limit used by the braking energy recovery system, the MGU-K.
Summoned by the commissioners, the team was nevertheless unable to justify itself favorably in the hope of maintaining the impressive 8th position at the start of the Singapore GP race. Penalized, the Australian will therefore start from the back of the grid. The FIA report justifies itself with the following statements:
« It was established during the hearing, beyond any doubt according to the commissioners, that the competitor exceeded the permitted MGU-K power flow limit as set out in Appendix 3, Article 5.2.2 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations. The method by which this limit is regulated is well known and understood by the teams. Neither the fact that the car exceeded the limit, nor the methodology by which it was controlled, were contested by the team. »
« The team’s defense rested on two points. Firstly, that the excess was very small and offered no measurable benefit. Secondly, that the excess occurred during the second fastest lap of Q1. The team explained to the stewards how they believe this overrun occurred, but the stewards consider this information confidential to the team and not relevant to this decision. »
« Notwithstanding the team’s arguments, the stewards noted the very clear wording of Article 1.2.2 [1.3.3, in fact] of the International Sporting Code, which states that ‘If a car is found to be non-compliant with the applicable technical regulations, the absence of performance advantage will never be considered as a defense.’ In reaching this decision, the stewards referred to long-standing precedents concerning technical infringements, and the regularly imposed penalty is disqualification, regardless of timing or the existence of an advantage. This principle has been very clearly affirmed by the International Court of Appeal. »
« The commissioners have consequently ordered the disqualification of car 3 from the qualification results. »
