Given how limp the stewards have been with Pastor and the floor issue earlier in the year, I wouldn't hold my breath for anything more then a slap on the wrists.
Ah, but they did penalise Hamilton for being under-fuelled at the end of qualifying in Spain.
The difference is that Maldonado's problems have all been subjective. For example, when he crashed into Perez at Silverstone, one could easily make the case that he simply lost control of the car because he went into the corner a little too quickly. Likewise, the whole slots and holes argument again comes down to the interpretation of the rule. Red Bull rightfully pointed out that there was nothing in the rule book that said their floor holes absolutely had to go to the edge of the floor, prompting the FIA to close that loophole.
If you look at Jo Bauer's language in the FIA notification, you will notice he is being very, very definitive:
"Having examined the engine base torque map of car numbers 01 and 02 it became apparent that the maximum torque output of both engines is significantly less in the mid rpm range than previously seen at other events. In my opinion this is therefore in breach of article 5.5.3 of the 2012 Formula 1 technical regulations as the engines are able to deliver more torque at a given engine speed in the mid rpm range. Furthermore this new torque map will artificially alter the aerodynamic characteristics of both cars which is also in contravention of TD 036-11. I am referring this matter to the stewards."
He's not referring the matter to the stewards for clarification. He's taking a very affirmitive stance. He says that it
is in violation of the regulations, not that it
could be. And as the Technical Delegate, it it Jo Bauer's job to interpret the rules. He is the one who has the final say on the matter, because he is the one the teams turn to when they need the rules to be settled. So for him to say that it the RB8 is illegal is a major mark against the team.
