Mercedes was fined €10,000 after the Barcelona Formula 1 race. The reason for this is a violation of the parc ferme regulations, for which the racing team had to answer to the race stewards after the Grand Prix. The physiotherapists had gone to the parc ferme too early.
The FIA had summoned team representatives from Mercedes and the two physiotherapists from Lewis Hamilton and George Russell because they were violating Article 12.2.1. i) of the International Sport Codex.
However, this article only states that it is against the rules not to follow the instructions of the officials at an event. Specifically, it was about a violation of FIA document number 40 on the race weekend in Spain.
This is entitled “Post-Race Procedure” and deals with behavior after the race. As usual, the teams are informed before the race about who may and may not enter the parc ferme after the race.
There are strict rules about when the physiotherapists are allowed to interact with their riders before the podium ceremony.
It reads: “Other than the teams’ mechanics (with cooling fans where appropriate), officials and FIA pre-approved television crews and FIA-approved photographers, no one is permitted to enter the designated area once the cars are in located in parc ferme (no PR staff of the teams).”
Formula 1: Hamilton and Russell retain points
Next: “The riders’ physios must wait in front of the cool-down room behind the podium until the awards ceremony is over, following the media officer’s instructions to all teams.”
However, the Mercedes team violated this: the inspectors received a report that the physios had illegally gained access to the parc ferme, which could be proven by means of photographic evidence. The commissioners imposed a fine of 10,000 euros.
This coincides with a similar incident at the Formula 1 race in Austria last year. At that time, the top 3 drivers Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton also received a fine of 10,000 euros – but then on probation.
The penalty has no effect on sport: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell keep their positions two and three.