Haas Method 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg will drop from fourth to seventh on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix grid after incurring a grid penalty for overtaking at pit exit.
Hulkenberg starred in Saturday night time qualifying on the Yas Marina circuit, taking fourth on the grid behind each McLarens and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari, however forward of world champion Max Verstappen within the Pink Bull.
However Hulkenberg, who’s contesting his final grand prix for Haas earlier than shifting to Sauber in 2025, was going through an investigation that put his second-row beginning spot in jeopardy, with a three-place grid drop later confirmed for overtaking vehicles at pit exit.
Abu Dhabi’s pit exit is exclusive in that it crosses beneath the race monitor by way of a slim tunnel, which implies the FIA’s race director despatched an up to date observe on Friday reminding drivers that overtaking different vehicles is forbidden until the automotive in entrance has an apparent mechanical subject.
However forward of the ultimate salvo of runs in Q1 Hulkenberg broke that directive, overtaking each Sainz and Alpine driver Jack Doohan as drivers slowly coasted out of the pits to discover a hole. He was then nearly inadvertently nudged into the wall by Lance Stroll within the Aston Martin, additional underlining the protection danger of attempting to squeeze previous at such a slim pit exit.
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Dealing with the stewards, Hulkenberg argued he had no alternative however to muscle his well past the vehicles in entrance to make sure he acquired his closing lap in, however the stewards stated that was not a legitimate purpose to interrupt rules attempting to keep away from harmful conditions.
“The driving force didn’t dispute through the listening to that he didn’t observe the race director’s directions, however said that he had no different possibility however to breach the principles so as to get a lap in,” the stewards’ verdict learn.
“While the stewards acknowledge that the place of the crew’s garages limits their choices to ship the vehicles out on monitor, this will by no means be used as an excuse to breach any rules.
“The prohibition of overtaking in sure areas because the pitlane or, on this case, the pit exit, is applied to stop doubtlessly harmful conditions and due to this fact the stewards decide {that a} grid drop is warranted on this case.”
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Speaking about his qualifying efficiency, Hulkenberg stated: “I feel the traits of the monitor simply someway actually clicked and suited our automotive. Our growth has been round medium-speed corners, and you have got lots of them right here, perhaps it is that. The entire mixture simply someway actually labored properly this weekend thus far.”
On this article
Filip Cleeren
Method 1
Nico Hulkenberg
Haas F1 Group
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