Alfa Romeo pair under investigation over race starts

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Alfa Romeo is under investigation for the data it gave to its drivers for the race starts at the German Grand Prix, putting the team’s double-points finish in jeopardy. Kimi Raikkonen finished seventh and Antonio Giovinazzi eighth in the chaotic race at Hockenheim that featured numerous crashes, retirements and Safety Car periods. Raikkonen actually started from fifth and was up to third on the opening lap, although he later narrowly avoiding adding to the accident statistics himself (pictured), while Giovinazzi scored points from 11th on the grid, but the starts are now under scrutiny from the FIA. FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported that “the race start data of car numbers 07 and 99 were checked … These were found not being in compliance with Article 27.1 of the 2019 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations and Article 9 of the 2019 Formula 1 Technical Regulations.” Article 27.1 states that “The driver must drive the car alone and unaided,” while the technical regulations article is related to the Transmission System, with a later summons specifying this instance involves “clutch torque application during race starts,” with a suggestion of traction control warnings. Team representatives were summoned to the stewards nearly two hours after the end of the race to discuss the issue. Technical infringements carry the penalty of disqualification, which would promote the Haas pair of Roman Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen from eighth and ninth, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton from 11th to ninth and Williams’ Robert Kubica into the points in 10th. Alfa Romeo, German Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen, Formula 1 1.4k SHARES SHARE TWEET EMAIL Chris MedlandChris Medland While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, he contributes to BBC 5Live and Sky Sports in the UK as well as working with titles in Japan and the Middle