Daniil Kvyat has escaped punishment after his Toro Rosso car failed post-qualifying scrutineering, with the FIA’s technical delegate Jo Bauer reporting the matter to the stewards.
According to the governing body, Kvyat’s floor failed the deflection tests on Saturday afternoon, with the front deflecting more than the allowed 5mm when a 4000 newton force was applied vertically.
However, the Toro Rosso team presented evidence which proved his car suffered damage during an impact with a kerb in Q3, which actually decreased downforce as evidenced by his slower lap later in the session.
The stewards have therefore decided no further action is required and Kyat will start eighth – having gained a place with Kimi Raikkonen's five-place grid penalty.
“Whilst technically the car failed to pass the deflection test, the stewards have decided not to impose a penalty. However the team is reminded that further tests will be conducted and that future failure of the test may not result in the same decision," read a stewards statement.
“The FIA technical team is requested to further study the telemetry produced by the team and provide a report to the stewards if appropriate.”
Kvyat referenced the damage and believes it cost him a better position in qualifying, as team-mate Carlos Sainz will start seventh.
“I’m not happy with my qualifying today," he said. "I think I hit a curb hard in the third sector during my last run and I don’t know if this is maybe the reason why we lost a bit of time in Q3.
"The car certainly behaved differently compared to Q2, so we now have to analyse this, because we could’ve finished in a higher position than P9. It’s quite disappointing as we know we have a strong car with huge potential."
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