Toyota Investigated Over Liscense

[ExigeEvan]

Story: -http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4544973.stm

Toyota investigated over licence
Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher appealed against a pitstop penalty at San Marino
Toyota could face sanctions from Formula One's governing body after it emerged the team has competed for years without the correct licence.

F1 Racing magazine claimed the team could be stripped of their points for the first four races of the season.

"The matter is under investigation," said an International Automobile Federation (FIA) spokesman.

Toyota motorsport president John Howett said it was a simple administrative error that had now been corrected.

"If they apply a sanction we have to accept it," said Howett.


"The FIA has the right to apply sanctions but I hope it will be commensurate with the size of the error. We have tried to be completely transparent.

"This has been blown out of proportion to what we see as an unintentional and fairly minor error relating to the paperwork."

Teams must have a competition licence issued by their national authority before they can get a super licence, which is issued by the FIA.

Howett said Toyota, currently second in the championship behind pace-setters Renault, had always had a super licence but had failed to renew their competition licence since 2000.


The matter came to light only when Toyota sought to appeal against a 25-second penalty for a pitstop offence by Ralf Schumacher at the San Marino Grand Prix.

"We haven't had a national licence, we can't deny that," said Howett. "It was a genuine error.

"We do apologise and feel extremely embarrassed but we understand the FIA are treating the matter sensibly," he added.

Howett said the paperwork had been put in order before the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend.

Toyota's Jarno Trulli has finished three races on the podium this season.

He took Toyota's first top three position in Malaysia in March when he came second and was also second in Bahrain and third in Spain.

Not Toyota aswell, they were doing so well!

 

[Blake]

Damn, be a shame to take away all their points

Blake

 

[Solid Lifters]

I think it would be a calssless move to take away all their points. But, Toyota shouldn't escape this with no punishment either. This was a stupid mistake on their part. I hope it works out OK that both sides can agree upon.

 

[SouL]

It's a stupid mistake on both parties. Toyota for not having the license. And the FIA for letting them race. How does that work?

I'd opt for race bans. After all the achievements of Toyota this season... stripping them of their points would be too severe a punishment.

 

[Solid Lifters]

It's a stupid mistake on both parties. Toyota for not having the license. And the FIA for letting them race. How does that work?

I'd opt for race bans. After all the achievements of Toyota this season... stripping them of their points would be too severe a punishment.

I don't think it should go that far. Take away ten constructor points, and call it even.

 

[Max_DC]

Who cares about a 🤬 licence anyways ? Using gas for minimum weight and then having faster laps is one thing, but this is just ridiculous ...

 

[Omnis]

if they were to place sanctions, they should do so on their budget or management or something. a money fine would probably be best. not having a license didn't boost or hinder their performance. so, they've achieved everything fair and square and shouldn't have their points taken away.

 

[ExigeEvan]

if they were to place sanctions, they should do so on their budget or management or something. a money fine would probably be best. not having a license didn't boost or hinder their performance. so, they've achieved everything fair and square and shouldn't have their points taken away.

That's a good point. I hpe it doesn't come out of the budget, and that it is Toyota (corp?) that take the bill.

 

[Ev0]

I agree, a money fine would probably be the best punishment here. They didn't run an illegal car, or violate any major rules (aside from Ralf's pitstop), so I think taking away points would be a bad idea, mainly because it would give Renault too much of a lead in both drivers and constructor points.

 

[Omnis]

unless briatore is stuffing cash up the board's poopers.

 

[Blake]

Well I read that Toyota will get off lightly but it doesn't really say how lightly, so I am somewhat cuious as to what will happen.

Blake

 

[Touring Mars]

I hope they do get off lightly... I think that the punishment should fit the crime, and also Toyota have shown great humility and apologised for their 'embarrasing' mistake, and do not deserve to be heavily punished... in light of the BAR ban, I think it would reflect badly on the FIA if they are seen to be kicking another up-and-coming team into touch for a minor transgression, that in no way affected their performance on the track... the FIA need to get a sense of perspective and realise that the fans will react badly if they are seen to be too heavy-handed with the punishments they mete out...

 

[Mr. Mika]

I don't know if I'll add anything with this, but at autosport.com Max Mosley was quoted saying:

"There won't be any penalties for Toyota, even though until the Spanish Grand Prix they raced without the licences required by the FIA," said Mosley in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think it was a mistake, with no real cheating involved."

 

[Beelzebub]

i was hoping toyota will get punish heavily, so i can look forward to GPWC. lol