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Massa excluded from Brazilian Grand Prix

Felipe Massa has been excluded from the Brazilian Grand Prix due to a tyre infringement on the grid ahead of the race.

The tread temperature and minimum tyre starting pressure were checked on the right rear tyre of Massa's car on the grid within the final five minutes before the start of the race. The tread temperature was found to be 27C over the 110C maximum allowed by Pirelli, while the pressure was just 0.1psi above the minimum starting pressure.

The readings were then referred to the stewards during the race, who summoned a team representative after the grand prix had finished. Following the stewards' investigation, Massa was excluded from the results with the FIA providing the following reason:

"The temperature of the right rear tyre was measured in compliance with the FIA Technical Directive TD/029. The team did not comply with the FIA Formula One Technical & Sporting Regulations, FIA International Sporting Code and the instructions of the official tyre supplier in the event preview."

TD/029 was issued by the FIA after the Italian Grand Prix to clarify when tread temperatures and starting pressures can be measured after both Mercedes cars were found to have been below the minimum pressures. On that occasion, no further action was taken against Mercedes due to the ambiguity of the process.

Massa had originally finished in eighth place but his exclusion promotes Romain Grosjean to eighth ahead of Max Verstappen in ninth and hands Pastor Maldonado the final point in tenth.

Williams has announced its intention to appeal the decision.

REPORT: Rosberg keeps Hamilton at bay to win in Brazil

AS IT HAPPENED: Brazilian Grand Prix

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.