DS Penske Team Fined 25,000 Euros for Illegally Installed RFID Scanner during the Formula E Qualification in Portland
The DS Penske team was fined 25,000 euros during the qualification of the Formula E series in Portland, Oregon, for violating the rules by illegally installing an RFID scanner. The scanner can read tire data from other racing machines, giving the team an unfair advantage over competitors. The team’s pilots, Stoffel Vandorna and Jean-Eric Verne, will also have to wait at the end of the pit lane until all the other cars pass by before entering the racing highway.
RFID scanners are devices that read information from microchips built into Formula E tires. These chips control the tire state, such as temperature and pressure, as well as save resources and ensure rider safety. The DS Penske team could use the scanner to gain insight into their competitors’ tire strategy and wear and tear.
According to the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the installation of any equipment in the Pit Lane zone is strictly prohibited. In addition, collecting information in this way provides a significant and unfair advantage. The stewards concluded that the punishment for this action is justified.
This is not the first scandal in the history of Formula E, the most innovative and environmentally friendly series of motorsport. In 2023, Formula E introduced Gen 3 cars, which are more powerful, lighter, and more efficient. The tire supplier also changed from Michelin to Hankook Ion, which posed a significant challenge for teams and racers who had to adapt to the new characteristics of the rubber.