From Autosport.
The FIA has confirmed that the fuel temperatures of the BMW Sauber and
Williams cars were outside the regulations during the course of the
Brazilian Grand Prix.
As the race stewards continue to investigate the matter to decide on
whether or not a punishment is necessary, a statement issued by
technical delegate Jo Bauer revealed the extent of the temperature
variation of the cars involved.
Article 6.5.5 of the Formula One technical regulations states: "No fuel
on board the car may be more than ten degrees centigrade below ambient
temperature."
The statement issued by Bauer showed that Heidfeld's fuel was 13 degrees
centigrade lower than ambient at his first stop and 12 degrees
centigrade lower at his second stop.
Robert Kubica's fuel varied by 14 degrees, 13 degrees and 13 degrees at
his three stops; Nico Rosberg's fuel was 13 degrees and 12 degrees out
at his two stops and Kazuki Nakajima's was 12 degrees out at his first
stop. His second stop was inside the 10-degree limit.
Spyker technical chief Mike Gascoyne said he believed the variation
would have provided a performance advantage.
"It can be five to ten horsepower easily," he told autosport.com. "The
car is producing a performance advantage during the race. If they dump
fuel in that is below the limit, it is an illegal performance advantage.
They should be excluded from the event, there is absolutely no doubt."
The implications of a disqualification for the BMW and Williams drivers
would be huge, as it could potentially move Lewis Hamilton up the order
into fourth place.
In such a case, Hamilton would be crowned the world championship.
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