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

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 evening 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 Purple Bull.

However Hulkenberg, who’s contesting his final grand prix for Haas earlier than shifting 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 below the race observe by way of a slender tunnel, which implies the FIA’s race director despatched an up to date notice on Friday reminding drivers that overtaking different automobiles is forbidden until the automobile 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 virtually inadvertently nudged into the wall by Lance Stroll within the Aston Martin, additional underlining the protection threat of making an attempt to squeeze previous at such a slender pit exit.

Going through the stewards, Hulkenberg argued he had no alternative however to muscle his well past the automobiles in entrance to make sure he bought his closing lap in, however the stewards stated that was not a sound purpose to interrupt laws making an attempt to keep away from harmful conditions.

“The motive 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 choice however to breach the principles to be able to get a lap in,” the stewards’ verdict learn.

“While the stewards acknowledge that the place of the staff’s garages limits their choices to ship the automobiles out on observe, this will by no means be used as an excuse to breach any laws.

“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.”

Speaking about his qualifying efficiency, Hulkenberg stated: “I believe the traits of the observe simply by some means actually clicked and suited our automobile. Our growth has been round medium-speed corners, and you have lots of them right here, possibly it is that. The entire mixture simply by some means actually labored nicely this weekend up to now.”