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Ferrari Happenings

FIA Take 10 Points from McLaren
27.7.00

After the Austrian Grand Prix Mika Hakkinen's McLaren was found to have a seal missing from an ECU. This matter came before the FIA Stewards of the Meeting and the following is the text of their findings:
The Stewards of the Meeting received the Technical Delegates Post Event Report dated 20th July 2000.

The report stated that the electronic control unit (ECU) from car number 1 had been examined in great detail post event.

The Technical Delegate further reported that there was an absence of a seal from the ECU and that he was satisfied that the absence of this one seal from the ECU could not have resulted in the Team or their supplier being able to alter the configuration of the unit in order to run unapproved software.

The Technical Delegate opined that car number 1 did not comply with article 8.2.7 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations during the Austrian GP as the Team was unable to present all their sealed units to the FIA at the end of the event.

The Team Manager and the Managing Director of the Team West McLaren Mercedes were summoned to meet the Stewards at 14.00hrs on the 25th July 2000.

Having heard the submissions and explanations of the Managing Director and the explanations of the FIA Software Analysts the Stewards find that the Team was not able to comply with article 8.2.7 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations.

As it is the duty of the Team to ensure that their car complies with the conditions of eligibility and safety throughout practice and the race (Article 7 of the 2000 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations) the Stewards of the Meeting impose a fine of US$50,000 on the Team and because of the exceptional circumstances of this case only deduct the points awarded to car number 1 in the Constructors Championship.

The competitor is reminded of his right of appeal.

Bryan Brophy - Hermann Tomczyk - Walter Jobst
FIA Stewards of the Meeting


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