Nico Rosberg and Mercedes under investigation by stewards
Nico Rosberg's gearbox problem during the first practice session could have more consequences than expected. Mercedes is under investigation by the FIA for bringing its car back under a tarp.
Abandoned on the track on orders from his team, Nico Rosberg’s car was brought back to the pits on a flatbed truck. As soon as it arrived in the paddock, the team’s mechanics hurriedly covered it with a tarp before bringing it into the garage for repairs in record time.
But Jo Bauer, the FIA technical delegate, believes that the team was guilty of a violation of the sporting code since the car had not suffered any external damage following an accident. The internal parts of the single-seater were therefore not visible, and it was not possible to see more than when it is normally on track.
“During the Grand Prix, no screen, cover, or any other object that can hide any part of the car is allowed in the paddock, garage, pit lane or on the grid, unless it is due to a mechanical issue, or, for example, fire protection,” specified Jo Bauer.
Therefore, the commissioners have summoned a team representative to appear by 1 p.m. local time (2 p.m. in France) to provide an explanation. A sanction could therefore be imposed in the coming hours. If it were to materialize, it should affect the team and not the driver.
From our special correspondent at Silverstone
