Nico Hulkenberg, driver of Haas Formula 1, was disqualified from the qualifying session of the Monaco Grand Prix due to a violation involving the car’s rear wing. Hulkenberg and his teammate, Magnussen, managed to reach Q2, but it was later found that they did not pass the DRS opening check. FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported that the adjustable positions of the rear wing exceeded the maximum allowed limit of 85 mm on both cars. As a result, Haas was found guilty of breaching DRS compliance and their qualifying efforts were nullified.
According to the rules, the movable elements of the wing should not exceed 85 mm at the outer edges. However, both Haas cars exceeded this limit during the check. After reviewing the matter, the stewards determined that Haas made an inadvertent error in adjusting the wing opening. The team had introduced a new design for the wing in Monaco, which had a different opening measurement compared to the previous design. The mechanics were not trained to adjust the opening according to the new design, resulting in non-compliance. Despite this error, the wing itself was in compliance with technical regulations, and the FIA technical team accepted the team’s explanation.
As a consequence of the disqualification, Haas now faces a difficult task at the Monaco GP, as overtaking is extremely challenging on the narrow streets of Monaco. The disqualification also led to a reshuffling of the grid, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo moving up to 12th position. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who qualified in 14th place, and Fernando Alonso, who was eliminated in Q1, also benefit from the disqualification. Additionally, Williams’ Logan Sargeant and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez will see small improvements in their starting positions, while the Sauber duo will move up from the back row of the grid.
