FIA confirm Nico Hulkenberg penalty after Abu Dhabi GP investigation

Nico Hulkenberg has been hit with a three-place grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after an FIA investigation into an infringement during qualifying.

It sees the Haas driver drop from fourth on the grid to seventh for Sunday’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Nico Hulkenberg hit with three-place grid penalty after FIA investigation

Hulkenberg had claimed his best qualifying result of the F1 2024 season in Abu Dhabi to outqualify newly crowned World Champion Max Verstappen.

However, the German’s grid slot came under threat after onboard footage showed Hulkenberg overtaking two cars in the tunnel section of the pit exit.

After an investigation, the FIA confirmed that Hulkenberg had broken Article 12.2.1 i) of the International Sporting Code and Note 12.4 of the Race Director’s Event Notes, with the Haas driver hit with a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race.

The FIA’s verdict read: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 27 (Nico Hulkenberg), team representative and reviewed marshalling system data, video, timing and in-car video evidence.

“The driver did not dispute during the hearing that he did not follow the Race Director’s instructions, but stated that he had no other option but to breach the rules in order to get a lap in.

Whilst the Stewards acknowledge that the position of the team’s garages limits their options to send the cars out on track, this can never be used as an excuse to breach any regulations.

“The prohibition of overtaking in certain areas as the pit lane or, in this case, the pit exit, is implemented to prevent potentially dangerous situations and therefore the Stewards determine that a grid drop is warranted in this case.”

Hulkenberg’s penalty could have a significant impact on the outcome of the F1 2024 Constructors’ Championship, with Haas trailing Alpine by five points in the fight for sixth place entering the Abu Dhabi GP.

Hulkenberg’s penalty means he will now start behind Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, who has been promoted to fifth on the grid.

The fight between Alpine and Haas is likely to come down to Hulkenberg and Gasly with their respective team-mates, Kevin Magnussen and Jack Doohan, managing only 15th and 20th in qualifying.

Doohan is making his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi after Alpine opted to replace Haas-bound Esteban Ocon in the aftermath of last weekend’s Qatar GP.

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