Both Haas drivers have been disqualified from today’s Monaco Grand Prix qualifying session after their cars failed a legality check.
The FIA’s Formula 1 technical delegate Jo Bauer informed the stewards both drivers’ VF-24s did not pass an inspection of the DRS opening.
The outer ends of the adjustable elements of the wings must not exceed 85mm. However Bauer’s measurement showed both cars exceeded this amount on the left and right-hand sides.
Technical infringements ordinarily result in exclusion from a session. The stewards, who accepted Haas’s explanation for the error, disqualified both the team’s cars.
“The team explained that this was the consequence of an inadvertent error on their part in setting the wing flap gap,” they explained. “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.”
Haas were “candid” about their mistake, the stewards noted. “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.”
Nico Hulkenberg therefore lost his 12th on the grid and Kevin Magnussen his 15th place start.
The team noted the decision and stated its drivers will start the race from the pit lane. Haas introduced a new rear wing specification for this race, as all teams did, in order to optimise their car for Monaco’s unique high-downforce demands.
Prior to the race team principal Ayao Komatsu said he was pleased the team had taken this step having chosen not to in previous seasons.
Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the sprint race qualifying session for the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix after his Mercedes fell foul of the same regulation. Mercedes said the part was damaged.
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2024 Monaco Grand Prix
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