Wheel loss costs Vergne 10 grid spots

Jean-Eric Vergne has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli 2014 after the right-rear wheel came off his Toro Rosso at Turn 1 during Friday’s second practice session in Barcelona.

Stewards decided Vergne’s car had been released in an unsafe condition after a pit stop, and that the team had breached Article 14.7 of the technical regulations, which states that “all cars, whilst under their own power, must be fitted with devices which will retain the wheel fastener in the event of it coming loose.”

As well as Vergne’s grid drop, Toro Rosso were fined €30,000 for the offence. Vergne finished second practice 12th on the timesheet, two places behind team mate Daniil Kvyat.