Penalty confirmed: Alfa Romeo lose German GP's points
The FIA decided that Alfa Romeo's 10-points-worth protest was not admissable. Kubica keeps his sole point of the season.
The best result of the year came as a double point finish at the end of a chaotic German GP. But it was at the start that all went wrong for Alfa Romeo.
During a post-race investigation, the stewards found out that both Alfas had the measurement of the torque in both of their clutches not matching the torque demand. Since this difference provided them with extra grip in a soaking-wet start, there was no option for the FIA but to hand a time penalty.
“This provided a more gradual application of the torque, which given the wet conditions was a potential advantage” FIA’s bulletin explained, "We'll appeal" the Swiss team replied.
An extra 30 seconds added to the race times, such was the penalty, indeed dropped Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi respectively from seventh and eighth to P12 and P13, with an overall loss of ten championship points.
Protests were made but few hours ago the FIA's International Court of Appeal decided to reject them. This means championship leader Lewis Hamilton will keep the two points gained from being promoted from P11 to P9, and Robert Kubica has officially secured the first -and to date sole- point of the season for the Rokit Williams team.
