Running checks after the race

Those cars finishing the race are normally checked for technical compliance immediately afterwards.
The cars are weighed – as is the driver. That is why you see the drivers standing on a weighbridge holding their helmets as soon as they’ve stepped out of the car. Fuel samples may be taken, tyre checks made, and engines may be sealed.
All the same measurements that were taken in scrutineering are taken again (see the section “Scrutineering” earlier in this chapter for what these measurements are). Sometimes the battering a car receives over the bumps of a track or the kerbs will be enough to, say, bring that front wing-height down just below the minimum allowed. This happened to David Coulthard’s car at the 2000 Brazilian Grand Prix, and he was disqualified from second place. It is up to the teams to anticipate such factors in ensuring their car stays legal throughout the event. Teams have in the past challenged such rulings but the appeal process means that the FIA is both judge and jury. Often appealing against a sentence has resulted in a larger sentence being issued. Teams therefore usually shy away from appealing.