In a shocking turn of events at the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifiers, Nico Hulkenberg was unjustly penalized, leading to a cascade of repercussions for other drivers, including Alex Albon. The slow response of the stewards triggered a wave of frustration among teams and fans alike.
The controversy arose when Hulkenberg was penalized for breaching track limits in turn 11 during Q1, a decision that came too late as he had already started Q2. This penalty not only affected Hulkenberg but also had a direct impact on Alex Albon, who was eliminated in Q1 but could have advanced if Hulkenberg’s time had been invalidated promptly.
James Vowles, the team principal of Williams, expressed his discontent with the situation, emphasizing the intense competition in the midfield where every position matters. Vowles criticized the delayed response from the stewards, stating that it deprived his team and Albon of the opportunity to progress further in the qualifiers.
Vowles acknowledged his team’s role in Albon’s premature elimination, citing a poor out-lap and traffic issues. However, he demanded clarity from the FIA regarding the belated decision that affected the qualifying outcomes.
Following the backlash, the FIA stewards admitted their mistake, attributing it to the low priority given to monitoring track limits at turn 11. A spokesperson mentioned that certain track areas have higher monitoring priority based on past sessions, with turn 11 not initially considered a critical area for track limit violations.
The FIA spokesperson recognized the need for improved efficiency in monitoring all track areas effectively to prevent such incidents in the future. The acknowledgment of the error brought some closure to the contentious situation that unfolded during the qualifiers.