Hulkenberg given grid penalty after safety breach in Abu Dhabi GP qualifying

Haas System 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 Crimson Bull.

However Hulkenberg, who’s contesting his final grand prix for Haas earlier than transferring to Sauber in 2025, was dealing with an investigation that put his second-row beginning spot in jeopardy, with a three-place grid drop later confirmed for overtaking automobiles at pit exit.

Abu Dhabi’s pit exit is exclusive in that it crosses beneath the race observe through a slender tunnel, which suggests the FIA’s race director despatched an up to date be aware on Friday reminding drivers that overtaking different automobiles is forbidden until the automobile in entrance has an apparent mechanical challenge.

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 security danger of making an attempt to squeeze previous at such a slender pit exit.

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures

Dealing with the stewards, Hulkenberg argued he had no alternative however to muscle his well past the automobiles in entrance to make sure he bought his ultimate lap in, however the stewards mentioned that was not a legitimate motive to interrupt rules making an attempt 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 acknowledged that he had no different choice however to breach the principles with a purpose to get a lap in,” the stewards’ verdict learn.

“While the stewards acknowledge that the place of the workforce’s garages limits their choices to ship the automobiles out on observe, this could 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 carried out 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 mentioned: “I feel the traits of the observe simply someway actually clicked and suited our automobile. Our growth has been round medium-speed corners, and you have got a lot of them right here, possibly it is that. The entire mixture simply someway actually labored properly this weekend to date.”