Most importantly, the judgement sets a precedent that self-policing will not
be tolerated, even if there are genuine question marks regarding the
accuracy and reliability of the sport’s fuel flow sensors.
The court clearly believed overcoming issues with the troublesome sensors was
preferable to allowing teams to measure themselves, producing what the FIA’s
legal representative described as a “wild west”, or scrapping the regulation
altogether.
Red Bull said they will move on, but continued to protest their innocence.
“Infiniti Red Bull Racing accepts the ruling of the International Court of
Appeal today,” the team said in a statement. “We are of course disappointed
by the outcome and would not have appealed if we didn’t think we had a very
strong case.
“We always believed we adhered to the technical regulations throughout the
2014 Australian Grand Prix.”
Mercedes, Red Bull’s direct championship rivals, had called for a tougher
punishment throughout the six-hour hearing.
Paul Harris QC repeatedly argued the world champions had insufficient grounds
for appeal, and reminded the court on two occasions that it could revisit
the original decision and impose a stricter punishment.
Harris suggested Red Bull be given a “yellow card” to discourage future
offending, with any additional penalty including a ban of up to three grand
prix. “There is a real risk that they [Red Bull] will do it again,” he said.
But Mercedes will be quietly satisfied the appeal was rejected, and that
Formula One’s new regulations – which they have adapted to better than any
other team – have emerged from Paris intact.
Do not expect this to be the end of the controversy, however.
Throughout the opening three events Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team
principal, has repeatedly drawn attention to issues with the sensors, while
their rivals became increasingly incredulous at the world champions defiant
stance.
It is hard to see it not being a major topic for discussion as Formula One
arrives in China for round four on Thursday. A full explanation of the
ruling will be made public by the end of this week.