The two Toyotas are disqualified by the FIA!

Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli were disqualified from the Qualifying sessions held today in Australia for the first Grand Prix of the 2009 season; the reason: flexible wings.

In Albert Park, the two drivers of the Japanese team had qualified in the Top 8. Glock was 6th and Trulli 8th. Reasonable performances despite slight disappointment. Now, the drivers will be dead last.

The FIA inspected the cars after the qualifying session. The stewards found flexible elements on the rear wing, which is a violation of the regulations: the same regulations that have been debated since last week.

« The commissioners received a report from the FIA technical delegate confirming that the upper part of the rear wings of cars no. 9 and 10 exhibit extreme flexibility, which is in violation of Article 3.15 of the Formula 1 technical regulations » comments the statement from the FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

« The union delegates listened to the explanations of a representative from Panasonic Toyota Racing and reviewed the claims. The stewards agree with the opinion of the FIA technical delegate on the non-compliance with the regulations.

The decision therefore only concerns the qualifying session: cars number 9 and 10 are thus excluded from the qualifying standings.

Article 3.15 of the technical regulations specifies that the fins must not have too much freedom of movement and must remain immobile in relation to the part supporting them.

Despite this sentence, Toyota is allowed to start the race tomorrow. The drivers will therefore be at the back, with Glock 19th and Trulli 20th. The rear wing will also need to be changed before the start of the race.