Haas Magnussen and Hulkenberg disqualified from Monaco GP qualifying

Feature image credit: Haas F1

Both Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg have been disqualified from the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying session, for breaching technical regulations.

Haas drivers of Hulkenberg and Magnussen have been disqualified from the Monaco GP qualifying session as it was found their cars were in breach of the technical regulations. 

Post-qualifying inspections were conducted on both Haas cars and it was found that the left-hand side and right-hand side outermost areas of the adjustable elements had exceeded the allowed 85mm. 

“The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car numbers 20 (Magnussen) and 27 (Hulkenberg),” said Technical Delegate Jo Bauer’s report. “The LHS [left-hand side] and RHS [right-hand side] outermost area of the of the adjustable elements were exceeding the maximum allowed 85mm on both cars. 

“As this is not in compliance with TR Article 3.10.10 h), I am referring this  matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

Following the referral, the stewards heard from Haas’ team representatives, the FIA Technical Delegate, the FIA Single Seater Director and FIA Single Seater Technical Director. 

In identical reports issued by the FIA, Haas’ representatives took responsibility for the breach blaming the issue as a consequence ‘on their part in setting the wing flap gap.’ 

The team brought a new wing to Monaco and the non-compliance with the regulations had been down to the team failing to train their mechanics to set the gap per the new design. 

In addition, Haas’ representatives suggested there was no advantage in performance as a result of the breach.

In the stewards report, they said:

“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 for the 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.  

“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.  The team was candid in admitting its error. 

“The wing was otherwise compliant with the Technical Regulations and the FIA technical team confirmed that they were satisfied with the team’s explanation for the error.”

After the stewards deemed the team had breached the regulations, and disqualified both cars from the qualifying classification, Haas announced both cars would start from the pit lane in Sunday’s race. 

The two cars of Hulkenberg and Magnussen previously qualified 12th and 15th prior to the disqualification.

“A technical compliance failure on both VF-24s, discovered in post-qualifying inspection, means both HULK and MAG to start Monaco GP from Pit Lane,” said the team on X.

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.