Force India fined again

Just five days after Force India received an official FIA reprimand for fitting the wrong tires to its cars in the German Grand Prix, the Silverstone-based outfit has been fined 5,000 euros (just under 4,200 pounds) for a similar mistake in Hungary on Friday morning.

The moment in question came in the first free practice session at the Hungaroring, when the car of reserve driver Paul di Resta (in Vitantonio Liuzzi’s cockpit for one session) used a set of harder (Medium) compound tires.

However, the Primes in question have been strictly allocated for use on Saturday and Sunday only – meaning final practice, qualifying and the race.

The fine was duly handed out by the stewards for a contravening of Article 25.4 a) of the sporting regulations, which states the following:

‘Each nominated driver will be allocated three sets of dry-weather tires for use during P1 and P2, two of “prime" specification and one of “option" specification. These are the only dry-weather tires which may be used during these sessions.

One set of “prime" specification must be returned to the tire supplier before the start of P2 and one further set of “prime" specification and one set of “option" specification before the start of P3.’