The International Federation has issued a statement in response to the controversies arising from the technical checks carried out after the United States Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes were found non-compliant in skid block wear. The statement confirms that random checks have been in effect for years to avoid providing advance guidance to teams and that the time for checks is limited during back-to-back Grands Prix to meet the logistical needs of sending the cars to the next circuit on time.
The FIA has responded to those who raised doubts about the post-race verification process. After the disqualification of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the end of the United States Grand Prix, there were controversies about the reduced number of cars subject to random checks, which are unplanned and not carried out in all races.
In addition to these random checks, there are also checks carried out at the end of all Grands Prix, such as weight and fuel checks. “The random checks process has been in place for decades,” the International Federation explained in a statement, “and is in place to ensure that teams do not know in advance of the race which specific areas of their cars may be examined, in addition to standard checks. This means that from their point of view, any part of the car could be checked.”
“We have a group of highly experienced technicians,” the FIA’s statement continues, “and access to a considerable amount of data that helps guide the decision on which parts to check.”
There is software capable of quickly comparing the data expected by the Federation’s technicians with what is obtained on the track. Any discrepancy becomes a suggestion to investigate the relevant area. The FIA has clarified that all tests carried out at the end of a Grand Prix require a large amount of work to be completed in a limited time. The statement clarifies that the time available is not determined by the FIA but by the logistical requirements that require teams to prepare all the materials for transport.
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“Although we carry out a wide range of checks,” the International Federation clarifies, “it is impossible to cover all areas of all cars in the short time available, and this aspect is particularly strict during consecutive race weekends, where there is a precise schedule for shipping the goods. The verification process is not limited to post-race and post-qualifying checks,” the FIA’s statement concluded, “there are further examinations during the weekend, and every weekend, one car is selected for even deeper analysis, checks that require the disassembly of components and, consequently, much more time.”
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