Felipe Massa has been excluded from the final result of the Brazilian Grand Prix after his tyre temperatures at the beginning of the race were deemed to be excessively high.
Following a change of regulations after the Italian Grand Prix when the Mercedes team were investigated for running tyre pressures too low, FIA officials can now test tyre pressures and temperatures at any time prior to the formation lap, and when Massa’s tyres were tested, the right-rear was found to be 137 degrees centigrade, 27 degrees centigrade above the maximum 110 degrees centigrade mandated by Pirelli.
Massa’s tyre was within the limits of the pre-race tyre temperatures however, with his 20.6psi 0.1psi above the minimum tyre pressure.
Williams Martini Racing’s Massa initially finished eighth in his home race, but after being referred to the stewards by FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, he has now been removed from the result, promoting Romain Grosjean to eighth, Max Verstappen to ninth and Pastor Maldonado to tenth.
“The temperature of the right-rear tyre was measured in compliance with the FIA technical directive TD/029-15 (that relates to minimum tyre starting pressures and maximum tyre temperatures in blankets),” read a statement from the FIA.
“The team did not comply with the FIA Formula 1 technical and sporting regulations, FIA international sporting code and the instructions of the official tyre supplier in the event preview.”
Williams have already decided to appeal the decision.
