Hulkenberg given grid penalty after safety breach in Abu Dhabi GP qualifying

Haas Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg will drop from fourth to seventh on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix grid after incurring a grid penalty for overtaking at pit exit.

Hulkenberg starred in Saturday night qualifying at the Yas Marina circuit, taking fourth on the grid behind both McLarens and Carlos Sainz's Ferrari, but ahead of world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.

Yet Hulkenberg, who is contesting his last grand prix for Haas before moving to Sauber in 2025, was facing an investigation that put his second-row starting spot in jeopardy, with a three-place grid drop later confirmed for overtaking cars at pit exit.

Abu Dhabi's pit exit is unique in that it crosses under the race track via a narrow tunnel, which means the FIA's race director sent an updated note on Friday reminding drivers that overtaking other cars is forbidden unless the car in front has an obvious mechanical issue.

But ahead of the final salvo of runs in Q1 Hulkenberg broke that directive, overtaking both Sainz and Alpine's Jack Doohan as drivers slowly coasted out of the pits to find a gap. He was then almost inadvertently nudged into the wall by Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin, further underlining the safety risk of trying to squeeze past at such a narrow pit exit.

Facing the stewards, Hulkenberg argued he had no choice but to muscle his way past the cars in front to ensure he got his final lap in, yet the stewards said that was not a valid reason to break regulations trying to avoid dangerous situations.

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

"The driver did not dispute during the hearing that he did not follow the race director’s instructions, but stated that he had no other option but to breach the rules in order to get a lap in," the stewards' verdict read.

"Whilst the stewards acknowledge that the position of the team’s garages limits their options to send the cars out on track, this can never be used as an excuse to breach any regulations.

"The prohibition of overtaking in certain areas as the pitlane or, in this case, the pit exit, is implemented to prevent potentially dangerous situations and therefore the stewards determine that a grid drop is warranted in this case."

Talking about his qualifying performance, Hulkenberg said: "I think the characteristics of the track just somehow really clicked and suited our car.

"Our development has been around medium-speed corners, and you've got many of them here, maybe it's that. The whole combination just somehow really worked well this weekend so far."