FIA announce LATE investigation for F1 star at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Photo: © IMAGO

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

FIA announce LATE investigation for F1 star at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The FIA have summoned an F1 star after a spectacular qualifying performance

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 7 December 2024 16:52 Updated: 18:31

The FIA have announced a late investigation for an F1 star after qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

McLaren secured a front row lock-out for Sunday's race at Yas Marina, ahead of constructors' title rivals Ferrari, with Carlos Sainz setting the third fastest time.

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Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc was relegated to P20 on the grid after his lap time was deleted, and a 10-place grid penalty was applied.

Lewis Hamilton also endured a woeful final qualifying session with Mercedes in Abu Dhabi, where the champion hit a bollard and exited in Q1.

McLaren look set to take the constructors' crown

Nico Hulkenberg under investigation at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

However, one F1 star who enjoyed a spectacular result in qualifying was Nico Hulkenberg.

The German will compete in his final race for Haas on Sunday, as he prepares to move to Sauber for 2025.

Hulkenberg secured a sensational P4 result in qualifying, but the stewards could deliver a major blow to the star.

The 37-year-old has been placed under investigation for overtaking in the pit exit road, which is an alleged breach of Article 12.2.1 i) of the Sporting Regulations.

Nico Hulkenberg has been placed under investigation

Haas are currently embroiled in a battle with Alpine and RB for sixth in the constructors' championship, with their fourth place grid position offering a major boost to the American team.

However, it has now been confirmed that Hulkenberg has been hit with a three-place grid penalty for Sunday's race for the incident.

An official statement said: "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."

Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

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Ferrari McLaren FIA Charles Leclerc Carlos Sainz Abu Dhabi Grand Prix