Both Haas Drivers Disqualified From Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying
Kevin Magnussen and Niko Hulkenberg have both been disqualified from qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix; both drivers will still race Sunday morning in the Monaco Grand Prix.
Both cars failed their post-qualifying tech after it was discovered that the LHS and RHS of the uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions exceeded the maximum allowed 85mm per the technical delegates' document submitted to the stewards. This report came at 6:44 PM local time, and a summons of a Haas team representative to the stewards followed 16 minutes later. A meeting was then set for 7:15 PM.
The maximum adjustable positions exceeding 85mm are disallowed under Article 3.10.10 -h of the 2024 F1 Technical Regulations. this article covers the Drag Reduction System (DRS), and sub-article h dictates the parameters for the rear wing's movements, "at any Y plane, the distance between the two sections of the rear wing profiles at their closest position must lie between 10mm and 85mm."
Both drivers made it into Q2 Saturday afternoon, Hulkenberg was set to start in P12, and Magnussen his P15.
At 8:15 PM local time, the decision was made that both cars earned the infringement of technical non-compliance, and both cars were disqualified from the day's qualifying efforts. With their disqualifications both teams will seek special dispensation to start in tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix.
Per the Stewards' letter, "the team explained that this was the consequence of an inadvertent error on their part in setting the wing flap gap. The wing used was a new design that was used forthe first time in Monaco. The old design was set to be compliant with the regulations with the largest gap measured from the centre of the wing. Under the new design, the largest gap was at the extremities of the wing but the team had not trained its mechanics to set the gap per the new design, resulting in the non-compliance."
It was then reminded to the team that it's their job to know that the new design will act differently, saying, "The duty to comply strictly with the Technical Regulations rests at all times with the Competitor. The team suggested that there was no performance advantage gained by the non-compliance. Article 1.3.3 of the International Sporting Code makes it clear that this is irrelevant."
Since both Haas drivers now have no set lap times in qualification, Haas submitted for the drivers to be allowed in, and per the steward's decision, the No. 20 and No. 27 cars are allowed to start, "as the driver has set satisfactory times in practice at the event."
It is unclear if the Haas duo will have to start on pit row or the back row of the grid.
This story is still developing.
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