F1: Williams given suspended fine

The Williams Formula 1 team has been given a suspended 10,000 euros ($11,000) fine after Felipe Massa used a set of tires outside the permitted window in Malaysian Grand Prix practice.

Drivers are given a set of extra prime tires that can only be used in the first 30 minutes of the opening session at each grand prix before being handed back. Massa, who finished 11th quickest, used the set of tires after the 30-minute cut-off time, but the FIA accepted Williams's claim the infringement was inadvertent.

"The competitor admitted the infringement and sought to mitigate," said the FIA in a statement. "Having considered the facts, the stewards accept the infringement was inadvertent and no advantage was gained as a result.

"In the circumstances, the stewards decided that a suspended penalty was appropriate for the infringement. The penalty is suspended for the rest of the season unless the competitor commits a similar infringement, in which case this penalty shall become payable immediately without prejudice for the further infringement."

Toro Rosso was given a similar suspended fine last year when Jean-Eric Vergne used the extra set of tires outside the permitted window during Austrian GP first practice.

Originally on Autosport.com