The DS Penske team was fined €25,000 and penalized with a pit lane start for installing an RFID scanner at the entrance to the pit during the Formula E qualifying round in Portland, Oregon. The FIA stewards determined that the scanner could collect data from other race cars, providing an unfair advantage. The team’s racers, Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Éric Vergne, will have to wait at the end of the pit lane before entering the race. Vandoorne explained that the scanner was used to observe the tire choices of other teams, which is a common practice in Formula E. The incident highlights the importance of tire data in the sport, especially with the switch to a new car design and tire manufacturer for the 2023 season.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS Penske fined | Illegal data collection | Increased data security | Gaining competitive advantage |
| RFID scanner installed | Use of technology in racing | More advanced scanning | Improving race performance |
| Pit lane start penalty | Delayed race start | Improved race fairness | Ensuring fair competition |
| RFID chips in tires | Tire condition monitoring | Enhanced tire technology | Optimizing tire performance |
| Switch to Hankook tires | Change in tire manufacturer | Adaptation to new tires | Sponsorship and technical challenges |
| Sponsorship from Hankook | New tire sponsor | Sponsorship opportunities | Financial support and brand association |