Not so fast: Lucas di Grassi's car disqualified after winning Formula E race in Germany

Jerome D’Ambrosio declared winner following post-race inspections

 ucas di Grassi won the Formual E race in Berlin on Saturday, but he was disqualified after his Audi Sport ABT car was found to have been running with a modified front wing.

The race-winning car failed post-race inspection where it was discovered that the front wing fairings had been modified to include internal metal reinforcing rods. In addition, the stewards found that six of the eight holes in the front wing had been sealed. The remaining two holes were found to have had helicoil inserts and chamfers made and that the front flap and gurney LH 220 has a filler layer added and chamfer made.

The team argued that these changes were made as a result of repairs and that they offered no competitive advantage; however, they were deemed to be in breach of Article 3.1 of 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Technical Regulations and the disqualification was made.

Audi Sport ABT has decided not to appeal the decision.

The decision means that Jerome D’Ambrosio is now the winner of the race and Nelson Piquet Jr. is now in the lead of the championship, 10 points ahead of di Grassi.

"Regardless of what happened to di Grassi after the race, we worked really hard and fought all the way to the front from 13th on the grid," Piquet said. "The final result obviously helps us in the championship but we were already very competitive and it hasn’t happened by accident that we are leading the championship. I am really proud of the team, we never give up and in Moscow we’re going to be even stronger.”

FIA Formula E Championship – DHL Berlin ePrix (Rd 8) – Race results:
1. Jerome D’Ambrosio, Dragon Racing, 48:26.566
2. Sébastien Buemi, e.dams-Renault, +2.433 secs.
3. Loïc Duval, Dragon Racing, +3.508
4. Nelson Piquet Jr, NEXTEV TCR, +3.975
5. Nick Heidfeld, Venturi, +13.046
6. Stéphane Sarrazin, Venturi, +13.335
7. Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti, +13.678
8. Sam Bird, Virgin Racing, +14.055
9. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Trulli, +15.636
10. Nicolas Prost, e.dams-Renault, +16.602
11. Antonio Felix da Costa, Amlin Aguri, +16.797
12. Jaime Alguersuari, Virgin Racing, +20.594
13. Scott Speed, Andretti, +21.149
14. Daniel Abt, Audi Sport ABT, +23.668
15. Charles Pic, NEXTEV TCR, +25.491
16. Salvador Duran, Amlin Aguri, +44.137
17. Bruno Senna, Mahindra Racing, +46.257
18. Karun Chandhok, Mahindra Racing, +52.703
19. Jarno Trulli, Trulli, +2 laps
Disqualified: Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT

Driver Standings
Nelson Piquet Jr - 103
Sébastien Buemi – 101
Lucas di Grassi - 93
Nicolas Prost – 78
Jerome D’Ambrosio - 77
Sam Bird – 68
Antonio Felix da Costa – 45
Jean-Eric Vergne – 40
Jaime Alguersuari - 30
Bruno Senna - 28

Team Standings
e.dams-Renault – 179
Dragon Racing – 116
Audi Sport ABT – 115
NEXTEV TCR - 107
Virgin Racing - 98
Andretti - 88
Amlin Aguri - 48
Mahindra Racing - 46
Venturi - 34
Trulli - 17

The electric cars race from the start in Berlin on Saturday. Photo by Formula E

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Feds Extend Oversight of GM After Ignition-Switch Recalls | Edmunds.com

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WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday said it will continue to extend federal oversight of General Motors' review, decision-making and communications about potential vehicle safety issues for another year.

The order comes a year after GM agreed to pay a record-setting $35-million civil penalty for delaying a recall of 2.6 million vehicles, including the 2005-'10 Chevrolet Cobalt, for ignition-switch defects that led to non-deployment of airbags. The defects are linked to 104 deaths.

"GM learned a hard lesson last year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a statement. "We expect to see the improvements they've made continue and that their new approaches are applied to every GM safety issue and every recall. Today's action will keep them on the right track."

NHTSA said it is not extending the order "based on a concern with GM's performance to date, but rather to continue the dialogue those requirements have facilitated on important safety issues."

Thursday's announcement is yet another indication of a new get-tough policy at NHTSA when it comes to dealing with vehicle safety and recalls, including the massive Takata recall for defective airbag inflators.

GM is required to meet monthly with federal safety regulators and disclose detailed safety issues.

"We have used our monthly meetings with NHTSA to foster a relationship that's candid, transparent and totally focused on the safety of our customers," said Alan Adler, a GM spokesman, in response to a query from Edmunds. "We've come a long way and we fully intend to build on this progress."

Edmunds says: Consumers should be reassured by this latest action by federal safety regulators. It means that all automakers are under greater scrutiny and will be held accountable for the safety of their products.

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Comments brenro Posts: May 22

$35 million for 104 deaths when it's been proven GM knew about the defect all along. Meanwhile Toyota pays $1.2 billion for 89 deaths even after the NHTSA with NASA's help finds there is no mechanical defect with their cars. Yeah, I feel reassured.

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IndyCar's James Hinchcliffe stable after life-threatening wreck

Driver sidelined for the foreseeable future

Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe is improving as he remains in stable condition following surgery yesterday at IU Health Methodist Hospital for an injury to his pelvic area and upper left thigh. Hinchcliffe is undergoing further evaluations in the intensive care unit and has been ruled out of Verizon IndyCar Series competition for the foreseeable future, including this weekend's Indy 500. Hinchcliffe, 28, suffered damage to an artery in his leg after his suspension failed and a broken piece punctured the cockpit, entering his right leg, left thigh and pelvic area. The driver suffered massive blood loss, but according to the doctor who performed surgery on his leg, the driver is doing well. "He's stable and improving," Dr. Timothy Pohlman, senior staff trauma surgeon at IU Health Methodist Hospital, said. "His condtion was critical upon his arrival." According to team owner Sam Schmidt, doctors had "a big one to plug," in regards to the leg wound Hinchcliffe suffered. Schmidt also said that the hospital being close to IMS worked in Hinchcliffe's favor. "If this would have happened at most of the palces we race at things might have been different," the owner said. "If he would have had to go from the ambulance to the track medical center to a helicopter to 30 minutes (to the hospital), I hate to say that would have been a challenge." Former teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay told Sports Illustrated that the ordeal was very worrisome. "Last night, after the incident, things were looking touch-and-go," the reigning Indy 500 champion said. "Without knowing all the facts I can't say what's ahead for him, but certainly it's not going to be an easy recovery." Hinchcliffe said he's happy and thankful to be recovering. "Words can't describe how thankful I am to the Holmatro Safety Team," Hinchcliffe said. "Those guys, in addition to the doctors and staff at the hospital, are my heroes. I can't say enough how much I appreciate the outpouring of support from IndyCar fans, my family and fellow drivers. We are all one big family and it feels like that today."

IndyCar Crashes in practice leave IndyCar, drivers on edge ahead of Indianapolis 500

IndyCar’s crashing-cars saga figures to build as Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 nears.Has IndyCar solved its problem of cars in flight? What happens if one gets airborne in traffic?James ...

Hinchcliffe was transported by ground to the hospital following a single-car accident during practice for the 99th Indianapolis 500 on May 18. 

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