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[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Heikki Kovalainen has been fined 5,000 Euros by the stewards following a rules breach during qualifying for the German Grand Prix.

The FIA officials said the McLaren driver's car was improperly refuelled during the 'Q2' phase at the Hockenheim circuit on Saturday, but he will keep his third place on the grid.

It is believed the Finn's car had fuel added simply by way of a fuelling tank in the team's garage, rather than the normal fuel rig.

The stewards said the incident was a breach of Article 29.2 of the sporting regulations because his engine should have been stopped during the process.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International



The penalty was deserved and fits the crime.

[Rivelution]

How come he was fined instead of given a grid spot penalty?

[Denthúl]

How come he was fined instead of given a grid spot penalty?

Speeding in the pitlane during practice and qualifying sessions don't give grid penalties either, because they aren't big enough rule-breaches to warrant that kind of penalty. Otherwise, most of the top drivers would actually find themselves sat way further back than they qualify every race (yes, they break the speeding rule a lot more often than you think!).

[Rivelution]

Well I think thats pretty pointless because 5,000 euros is probably nothing out of Kovalainen's pocket.

[Sam-KK24]

And to be fair, was Kovalinen to blame?

Mclaren should have been fined, should they not?

[Denthúl]

Well I think thats pretty pointless because 5,000 euros is probably nothing out of Kovalainen's pocket.

Yeah.

Heikki is a bit of a rule-breaker anyway. So far this season, he and DC have been the most common names to come up for speeding fines...

And to be fair, was Kovalinen to blame?

Mclaren should have been fined, should they not?

Yes.

[stonemonkey]

Oh dear, he got out his car and filled it up with the engine still running. Serves him right.

[texasmr2]

McLaren should be fined not Kovi as they should know better. I find it very odd that such mistake's are made by one of the best run and organized team's in F1?

[Kiwi_Chris]

do you really think that fine will come out of his back pocket???. Ron will pay then bill the poor bar steward who put the fuel in

[McLaren Fan]

McLaren should be fined not Kovi as they should know better. I find it very odd that such mistake's are made by one of the best run and organized team's in F1?

I've seen other teams make mistakes before, even the supposedly infallible Ross Brawn made some gaffes at Ferrari. It was minor mistake and has been punished accordingly. I agree with the chap who said that McLaren should probably be paying the fine. As Kiwi says, I suspect McLaren will pay the fine and a few people will get a bit of a rollicking.

[texasmr2]

McLaren should be fined not Kovi as they should know better. I find it very odd that such mistake's are made by one of the best run and organized team's in F1?

I've seen other teams make mistakes before, even the supposedly infallible Ross Brawn made some gaffes at Ferrari. It was minor mistake and has been punished accordingly. I agree with the chap who said that McLaren should probably be paying the fine. As Kiwi says, I suspect McLaren will pay the fine and a few people will get a bit of a rollicking.

Basically you just repeated my meaning, sorry I was not more clear.

[scotty]

OMGZ Mclaren should be fined £8m and moved back 15 places on the grid for every race ever!

[darwin dali]

OMGZ Mclaren should be fined £8m and moved back 15 places on the grid for every race ever!

Great suggestion

[EwanM]

OMGZ Mclaren should be fined £8m and moved back 15 places on the grid for every race ever!

Great suggestion

Careless talk. I know how bad it can be.

[AKR]

Well I think thats pretty pointless because 5,000 euros is probably nothing out of Kovalainen's pocket.

Because he is a McLaren driver and also sandwiching Massa between himself and Lewis Hamilton, they should of given him a grid penalty. If I were in charge I would of made this exception for sure.