Formula 1 News

Melbourne stewards exclude both Toyotas from qualifying 

Toyota Racing drivers Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli have been stripped of their qualifying grid positions, P6 and P8 respectively, after the race stewards noticed during the mandatory technical inspection that the rear wing element on both TF109 was too flexible.

The race stewards’ statement read: “The Stewards have received a report from the Technical Delegate that the upper rear wing elements of cars No. 9 and 10 are showing extreme flexibility in contravention of Article 3.15 of the 2009 Formula One Technical Regulations.”

“The Stewards have heard the explanation from a representative of Panasonic Toyota Racing and have examined the cars in question. The Stewards concur with the opinion of the Technical Delegate and find the cars contravene the requirements of Article 3.15 of the 2009 Formula One Technical Regulations.”

“It is the Stewards decision that cars number 9 and 10 be excluded from the Qualifying Session Official Classification.”

Toyota Motorsport, responded on their end to the FIA’s decision with the following statement:

“Toyota Motorsport has been informed that the rear wing of the TF109 has been found to demonstrate “extreme flexibility” by the Australian Grand Prix stewards.”

“The design has passed our own internal test procedures which are designed to reproduce twice the proscribed official load tests. In light of this decision it is clear we must review these procedures to ensure there is no repeat of this situation and we will also review our production processes to ensure there is no variation between parts.”

“We naturally accept and respect the decision of the race stewards.”

“We intend to modify the components overnight and we are confident these modifications will not result in any performance drop.”

The Toyota drivers will start Sunday’s 2009 Australian Grand Prix from the last row of the grid.

Update:
Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock will have to start the 2009 Australian Grand Prix from the pitlane, as the rear wings on both TF109 had to be modified in order to comply with the technical regulations.