“After yesterday’s accident, the team had to work through the night to revert on specification thus contravening Article 40.6 that says cars must be covered two hours after the end of qualifying.”
The confirmation comes following the release of an earlier FIA technical document that stated: “The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team did not cover car number 63, driver George Russell, two (2) hours after the end of the qualifying session, but continued to work on the car.
“This is not in compliance with Article 40.6 of the 2024 Formula One Sporting Regulations.”
READ MORE: Hamilton weighing up pit lane start after ‘demoralising’ Q1 exit at Circuit of The Americas
Russell’s team mate Hamilton had himself called for a pit lane start following his disastrous qualifying on Saturday, telling Sky Sports F1: “I should probably start in the pit lane, otherwise I won’t be going anywhere from where I am.”
However, the seven-time world champion currently looks set to start on the grid from P17, having gained two places thanks to Russell’s pit lane start and Liam Lawson’s back-of-the-grid penalty.
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