Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Haas hit with double penalty for formation lap Hungarian GP guidance

Haas drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen have both been hit with a 10-second time penalty for instructions received on the formation lap ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix

Haas called both Grosjean and Magnussen into the pits at the end of the formation lap to make the switch to slick tyres after initially planning to start on intermediates and wets respectively.

The strategy call lifted the Haas drivers as high as third and fourth once the rest of the field had made the switch to slicks, laying the foundations for Magnussen's run to ninth place.

But the team's first points haul of the season was thrown into doubt after the race when the stewards confirmed they were investigating both drivers over a rule breach on driver aids.

The investigation centred on Article 27.1 of the sporting regulations, which states that the "driver must drive the car alone and unaided", and limits the radio instructions drivers can receive.

After meeting with Haas representatives, the stewards deemed the team had been in breach of the regulations surrounding driver aids.

"Having considered the matter extensively, the Stewards determined that the team instructed the driver to pit," the FIA bulletin reads.

"The team could not prove that one of the exemptions made under paragraph A. 2. a) to g) of the Technical Directive 011-17 was applicable.

"Therefore, the Stewards consider there is breach of Art. 27.1 of the Sporting Regulations, that the driver must drive the car alone and unaided."

The 10-second penalty drops Magnussen from ninth to 10th in the final classification, handing one position to McLaren's Carlos Sainz Jr.

Grosjean falls from 15th to 16th as a result of the penalty, dropping behind Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen.

Magnussen's team radio conversation indicated that the Haas team would have little in the way of defence, given how clear the discussion was.

Early on the formation lap the Dane said: "We've done the wrong thing, there's already a dry line."

His engineer replied: "Understood Kevin, what do you want to do? [Pause] So we'll do the start, and then we'll figure it out."

Near the end of the lap the engineer said: "OK Kevin, I think we'll box now, box now," to which Magnussen replied, "Yeah I agree, box now, box now. For dry, yeah? Box now for dry."

Grosjean's transgression appeared to be less blatant, but still illegal. On the formation lap he reported: "The track is drying a lot already... it's almost tempting to box and put slicks."

Just before the pit entry, his engineer said: "Box, Romain, box," before repeating it, and adding a message about adjusting a setting on the steering wheel tyre setting.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Red Bull cleared over alleged F1 grid drying infringement by Hungarian GP stewards
Next article Injured Haas F1 strategist helped make Hungarian GP formation lap call

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe