04/10/2025
NEWS STORY
Both Williams cars have been disqualified from today's qualifying session for exceeding the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.
During post-qualifying scrutineering, the rear wings of both cars were found to be non-compliant with the technical regulations.
The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked and the DRS in the state of deployment exceeded the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.
At the hearing Williams representatives admitted that, although their own measurement prior to qualifying had shown the component to be within tolerance, the measurement subsequently conducted by the appointed FIA officials revealed a larger gap than permitted and therefore the rear wing did not conform with the required dimension.
The Grove outfit did not contest the measurement procedure, the methodology, or the accuracy of the measuring equipment used by FIA and fully accepted the results of the FIA measurement and acknowledged that the rear wing fitted to the cars did not comply with the requirements of the technical regulations.
Accordingly, the standard penalty applicable to technical infringements was imposed in both cases.
The Grove outfit subsequently requested that both cars be allowed to start tomorrow's race.
"This is bitterly disappointing for the team," said James Vowles, "and we are urgently investigating how this happened.
"At no point were we seeking a performance advantage and the rear wings had passed our own checks earlier in the day, but there is only one measurement that matters and we fully accept the FIA ruling.
"We have a car capable of scoring points here this weekend and will do everything we can to fight from the back of the grid tomorrow, and will immediately review our processes to make sure this doesn't happen again."
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