Ted Kravitz questions key Mercedes decision after ‘real no-no’ at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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Mercedes’s finish at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix could be under threat pending the outcome of an investigation by the FIA stewards.

George Russell finished in fourth place while Lewis Hamilton held on to 10th following a late challenge by Sergio Perez in the final laps, but that might change after the team was put under investigation midway through the race.

The steward’s inquiry relates to tyre pressures on the grid, with Mercedes adjusting them on both cars while they were on the grid.

While there is not a specific technical regulation relating to the infringement, there is a Technical Directive ‘TD0003, items 2. c) and 2. h)’ according to the stewards that this contravenes.

This specifies that the adjustment must be done with the wheels off the car, however Mercedes did so on both cars with them fitted to their car in the rush before the start.

Discussing the investigation while commentating on Sky Sports, Ted Kravitz questioned how Mercedes planned to explain the situation to the stewards.

Ted Kravitz questions Mercedes explanation for technical infringement

Technical infringements usually lead to disqualification for teams, as Mercedes found out earlier this year when Russell was thrown out for excessive plank wear following his Belgian GP victory.

Kravitz expects it will be tough for them to argue their way out of any potential penalty given the nature of the infringement.

“I’m still thinking about Mercedes adjusting the tyre pressures on the grid,” said Kravitz.

“The FIA Technical Delegate stated that it’s against a technical directive for this year but it’s a real no-no, I don’t know how they will explain their way out of this.”

George Russell fights back after making strategy mistake

Russell had taken the lead from Lando Norris into the first corner on the opening lap and maintained it as rain hit the circuit, but as it started to get more intense the team decided to pit him for a new set of Intermediate tyres.

Russell came out behind Max Verstappen and the two Alpine drivers by pitting, with Norris also following him in after complaining about the rain. After a brief Safety Car for the conditions, a red flag was later thrown because of a crash from Franco Colapinto.

This enabled all the cars ahead of Russell to have a free tyre change under the stoppage, which effectively sealed his position for the rest of the race.

Hamilton fought back after a disappointing qualifying and having to deal with a car that he said was “undrivable” and “bouncing a lot” on the straights. The seven-time World Champion finished 10th after fending off Perez in the closing stages of the race to seal the final point.