Australian Grand Prix race stewards have decided to exclude Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo from his home grand prix after receiving information from the FIA that his Red Bull Racing RB10 car had consistently exceeded the fuel-flow rate of 100kgs per hour during the race. After lengthy deliberations, the race stewards offered their verdict.
Click this link to read Full stewards decision: Formula One Australian Grand Prix 2014 Document – 56
The decision has changed the finish order of the Australian Grand Prix with rookie Kevin Magnussen and his teammate Jenson Button claiming 2nd and 3rd for McLaren.
Red Bull have issued a statement and will appeal the decision. Here is Red Bull’s official statement:
“Following the decision of the FIA that Infiniti Red Bull Racing is in breach of Article 3.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations and Article 5.1.4 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations with Car 3, the Team has notified the FIA of its intention to appeal with immediate effect.
Inconsistencies with the FIA fuel flow meter have been prevalent all weekend up and down the pit lane. The Team and Renault are confident the fuel supplied to the engine is in full compliance with the regulations.”
Red Bull’s boss, Christian Horner, was nonplussed but the decision and told the press (AUTOSPORT’s Mr. Noble reports):
“They informed us [to turn the flow down], and we informed them that we had serious concerns over their sensors,” he said.
“We believed on our reading, otherwise there was a situation where you are reducing significant amounts of power in the engine at a time when we believe we fully comply within the regulations.
“We end up in a situation where, depending on the calibration of your sensor, of plus or minus, it will dictate who is going to be competitive and who isn’t.”
It’s an unfortunate decision as Daniel was making history as the only Australian to stand on the podium at the Australian Grand Prix. The new race order is:
Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1h32m58.710s
2. Kevin Magnussen McLaren-Mercedes +26.777s
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes +30.027s
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari +35.284s
5. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Mercedes +47.639s
6. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes +50.718s
7. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari +57.675s
8. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Renault +1m00.441s
9. Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso-Renault +1m03.585s
10. Sergio Perez Force India-Mercedes +1m25.916s
11. Adrian Sutil Sauber-Ferrari +1 lap
12. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari +1 lap
13. Max Chilton Marussia-Ferrari +2 laps
14. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Ferrari +8 laps*
* Not classified
Retirements:
Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull-Renault DSQ
Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 43 laps
Pastor Maldonado Lotus-Renault 29 laps
Marcus Ericsson Caterham-Renault 27 laps
Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 3 laps
Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 2 laps
Kamui Kobayashi Caterham-Renault 0 laps
Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes 0 laps
Drivers' championship:
1. Nico Rosberg 25
2. Kevin Magnussen 18
3. Jenson Button 15
4. Fernando Alonso 12
5. Valtteri Bottas 10
6. Nico Hulkenberg 8
7. Kimi Raikkonen 6
8. Jean-Eric Vergne 4
9. Daniil Kvyat 2
10. Sergio Perez 1
Constructors' championship:
1. McLaren/Mercedes 33
2. Mercedes 25
3. Ferrari 18
4. Williams/Mercedes 10
5. Force India/Mercedes 9
6. Toro Rosso/Renault 6
