Title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are under investigation after Hamilton romped to pole position for the ‘sprint’ qualifying race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.
Hamilton’s Mercedes car was referred to the stewards for an alleged technical infringement on its rear wing.
Verstappen was also set to appear in front of stewards for an alleged breach of the FIA’s International Sporting Code concerning rules on working on the cars after qualifying. Hamilton, who has a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s grand prix, was untouchable over one lap, 0.438 seconds quicker than Verstappen.
However, if his car is found not to comply, he will be sent to the back of the sprint grid.
Governing body the FIA said the stewards were “awaiting further evidence that will not be available until the morning”.
A later statement said Verstappen and a team representative had been summoned to a meeting for an alleged breach of the international sporting code.
Video footage posted by a fan on social media showed Verstappen seemingly checking with his hands the rear wings of his Red Bull and Hamilton’s Mercedes after they had parked up.
Article 2.5.1 of the sporting code states that “no operation, checking, tuning or repair is allowed” in that secure area once the cars have stopped after qualifying unless authorised by officials.
An earlier communique from the stewards said that when Hamilton’s car was checked after the session, it was found that his rear wing did not comply with the rules regarding the maximum gap between two elements of the wing when the DRS overtaking aid was deployed.
The gap was measured to be larger than the maximum permitted distance of 85mm.
The DRS operates the upper flap of the rear wing, lifting it up on the straights on certain parts of the lap to reduce drag and increase straight-line speed.