Unending Woes: McLaren Fined $50,000 By Formula One Governing Body
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Sep 07, 2007
McLaren
The McLaren-Mercedes Formula One team has been fined 50,000 dollars by motor sport’s ruling body (FIA) for failing to crash test a new gear box prior to Fernando Alonso’s victory in Hungary.
A source from the sports governing body said Thursday the team had been fined because it had broken FIA rules. AFP
McLaren ran a lightweight gearbox throughout the course of the Hungaroring weekend without it being subjected to crash tests.
Team officials believed at the time the changes to the gearbox were not ‘significant’ and so did not warrant the required tests. UKPress
The stewards thus found McLaren to have broken Article 16.1.2 of the technical regulations, which states that “any significant modification introduced into any of the structures tested shall require that part to pass a further test.”
This, combined with McLaren’s failure to disclose the changes in time to allow for a new test, prompted the stewards to fine the team US$50,000. Formula1.com
“The Stewards feel that disclosure should be made in circumstances such as this and accordingly censure McLaren,” the stewards’ decision said. “In the particular circumstances of this case no further sanction will be applied”.
The team will use the new gearbox in Monza. GrandPrix.com
