Quote:
Originally Posted by GasperG
If it was one front tire problem, then skid pad would be worn only on one side, it would had to be both tires to wore it out even.
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Just to be more precise, AutoHebdo contend that the excessive wear on the front part of the skid block was due to the tire pressure decreasing below a critical limit during the FCY period on all four tires, which led the skid block to come into contact with and rub onto the ground for a long period. AutoHebdo further suggest that, with the car being brand new and the limited running during free practice, Audi Sport did not have the opportunity to properly evaluate or simulate the impact of such a loss of tire pressure on ground clearance.
That seems to be a sensible explanation, but - assuming that this was the explanation given by Audi Sport to the stewards after the race - this explanation was not considered to be sufficient to excuse the excessive wear. It remains to be seen if that line of defense will be presented or further developed in the context of the appeal. I do trust that if the rules allow for an appeal to be lodged in such circumstances, it should be possible to overturn the stewards decision provided a sensible, reasonable and acceptable explanation is given. Otherwise, you may wonder why appeal proceedings are offered in the first place.
The above tire-pressure-related explanation at least has the merit of demonstrating that there was not necessarily any "intent" behind the excessive wear issue, but probably a too optimistic choice of tire pressure at some point in the race. It is well possible that Audi Sport were a bit too aggressive in that respect and that they were ultimately caught up by unexpected circumstances, i.e. the rather lengthy FCY period that followed Brendon's crash and the failure of the #8 car.
Ironically, it was probably Brendon's crash that indirectly destroyed Audi's race...
In any event, tire pressure is clearly a parameter under Audi Sport's control, so it's becoming increasingly evident that the appeal has very little chance to succeed.