Techeetah avoids disqualification despite safety harness mod

Formula E's Techeetah squad was fined £30,000 following a safety harness infringement but was allowed to retain yesterday's historic 1-2 finish.

Santiago winner Jean-Eric Vergne and team mate André Lotterer were placed under investigation after Saturday's event, along with Dragon Racing's Jerome d'Ambrosio.

Formula E race stewards took aim at "modifications to the safety harness" which were conducted by the teams without the prior consent of the technical delegate.

Santiago was the first race in which the mandatory minimum car-swap time was dropped, and new harnesses, destined to help crews safely secure drivers' belts, were subsequently handed out to teams ahead of the race weekend.

Vergne fends off Lotterer to deliver a Techeetah 1-2 in Santiago

Vergne's crew executed the fastest pitstop of the field in 46.687s, while Lotterer's swap was 48.372s and third quickest.

Techeetah team boss Mark Preston believed the FIA regulations' wording on safety harness additions lacked clarity.

"We have two LMP1 drivers who are very experienced in the world of fast pitstops," he told Motorsport.com.

"Everyone has to agree what’s allowed and what’s not. It’s not a modification for safety it’s a matter to make sure you can do the belts up quickly – it’s for practicality, let’s say.

"It was a hard one for everybody in the discussions."

The disputed call has prompted the FIA's technical and safety departments to issue a clarification on what potential modifications are permissible before Formula E's next round scheduled in Mexico on March 3.

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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.