Force India hit with €25,000 suspended fine

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Force India has been handed a €25,000 fine, suspended for a year, after it failed to correctly display its numbers during the Spanish Grand Prix.

The FIA issued a directive to teams before the Spanish Grand Prix which introduced new specifications linked to the increased size of race numbers in order to improve driver identification.

Force India will make the mandatory adjustments in time for the Monaco Grand Prix, the next F1 world championship event.

"In view of the following mitigating circumstances, the fine is suspended for a period of 12 months pending no further infringements of this nature," read a statement.

"The mitigating circumstances are: the competitor was not challenged about the numbers prior to the race; the numbers (size, colour and location) were not changed during the event; the Competitor has offered to work with the FIA and rectify the situation immediately."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.