Williams has been fined 50,000 Euros – with 40,000 Euros of that suspended – for failing to provide an SD card with video files of its front and rear wings to the FIA at Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix.
The squad had been called up to see the stewards in Shanghai after it did not supply video footage from onboard cameras as requested by the FIA to help monitor flexible bodywork.
Following a stewards’ hearing it was discovered that Williams’ cameras had not been fitted with SD cards (which are used for storage) to download the video footage that was being captured from the cameras – leaving the FIA without any evidence.
With the video footage being mandatory as part of a clampdown on flexible wings by the FIA, this was a breach of a recent Technical Directive relating to the matter.
A statement from the stewards said Williams broke the rules by not having the required SD cards in the camera in time.
“It is undisputed by the team that it failed to do so," said the stewards. "The reason for the failure was apparently the team’s belief that the cameras would come fitted with SD cards supplied by the FIA. They did not check if they did.
“They apparently relied on an email from the FIA Technical Delegate to one team member that suggested that the teams could supply their own SD cards. The team claimed that they assumed that the cameras that they installed on their cars were fitted with the SD card supplied by the FIA.
“They noticed during the middle of the session that there was a red flashing light in the cameras and reported that to the Technical Delegate. However, they did not know what the flashing light meant and, in any event, it was too late to fit the SD card(s) by then.
“When the absence of the SD cards was discovered after the session, the team did not report the fact of their failure to install the SD cards to the Technical Delegate.”
Williams's own explanation simply referenced a "miscommunication" between the team and the FIA.
“We had concerns over the cameras not working in FP1, and as a result were in dialogue with the FIA throughout the session," said the team.
“Following the session, the FIA and ourselves have reviewed all procedures, and we can confirm that the failure to provide footage in the allotted time was down to a miscommunication, and internal processes will be addressed as a result so that this does not reoccur.
“For completeness we provided all footage as requested in Melbourne with no issue and will continue to support the FIA and provide all required footage in a timely manner going forwards.”
The stewards did make it clear they were confident that Williams' failure to provide footage was not because it was trying to hide the behaviour of its wings.
“For avoidance of doubt, there was no suggestion that the wings were not in compliance with the bodywork flexibility requirements under the Technical Regulations
“Nevertheless, given that TD034L was clear in placing the responsibility for ensuring that the cameras were fitted with the empty SD card on the team, it was equally clear that the team was not in compliance with the directions in TD034L.”
Williams itself added: “We have no concerns over the legality of our wing. It is the same wing we ran in Melbourne, is fully compliant and we did not have to make any adjustments further to the issuing of the new TD.
“Yesterday’s issue was procedural, and we are confident that we will provide all future recordings without issue.
“We understand that to ensure fair policing of technical regulations the FIA issued the resulting fine and we thank them for the constructive conversations and measured handling of this matter.”
