Nico Hulkenberg has received a three-position grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix following an FIA probe into a violation during qualifying. This means the Haas driver will fall from fourth on the grid to seventh for Sunday’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit. Nico Hulkenberg receives three-position grid penalty post-FIA investigation Hulkenberg had […]
Nico Hulkenberg has received a three-position grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix following an FIA probe into a violation during qualifying.
This means the Haas driver will fall from fourth on the grid to seventh for Sunday’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Nico Hulkenberg receives three-position grid penalty post-FIA investigation
Hulkenberg had achieved his top qualifying performance of the F1 2024 season in Abu Dhabi, outpacing newly crowned World Champion Max Verstappen.
However, the German’s grid position was jeopardized when onboard footage revealed him overtaking two cars in the tunnel section at the pit exit.
Following an inquiry, the FIA verified that Hulkenberg violated Article 12.2.1 i) of the International Sporting Code and Note 12.4 of the Race Director’s Event Notes, resulting in a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race.
The FIA’s statement said: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 27 (Nico Hulkenberg), team representative and reviewed marshalling system data, video footage, timing data, and in-car video evidence.
“The driver did not contest during the hearing that he failed to comply with the Race Director’s directives but argued that he had no choice but to violate the regulations in order to complete a lap.
While the Stewards recognize that the positioning of the team’s garages restricts their ability to send the cars onto the track, this cannot be cited as a justification for disregarding regulations.
“The ban on overtaking in specific zones like the pit lane or, in this instance, the pit exit, is enforced to avert potentially hazardous situations, and thus the Stewards conclude that a grid drop is necessary in this case.”
Hulkenberg’s infraction might have a major effect on the outcome of the F1 2024 Constructors’ Championship, with Haas trailing Alpine by five points in the battle for sixth place going into the Abu Dhabi GP.
As a result of Hulkenberg’s penalty, he will start behind Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, who has been elevated to fifth on the grid.
The contest between Alpine and Haas is likely to hinge on Hulkenberg and Gasly, as their teammates, Kevin Magnussen and Jack Doohan, could only manage 15th and 20th in qualifying.
Doohan is making his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi after Alpine chose to replace Haas-bound Esteban Ocon following last weekend’s Qatar GP.
Read next: Abu Dhabi GP: Misery for Hamilton in Mercedes swansong as Norris claims pole
