Nico Hulkenberg has lost his P4 on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix grid following a stewards investigation, being hit with a three-place grid penalty.
The Haas driver was summoned after an alleged failure to follow the race director's notes for overtaking in the pit-road exit, through the tunnel.
It placed his P4 on the grid, his best result since third at the 2020 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, at risk, with the stewards ultimately demoting him to P7 on the grid.
In their hearing, the stewards found that Hulkenberg did not dispute that he had breached race director Rui Marques' instructions, but that that he had to do so to get a lap in during Q3.
Depsite this, the stewards rejected Hulkenberg's reasoning, writing that the "position of the team garages can never be used as an excuse to breach any regulations."
As a result of the penalty, Max Verstappen moves up to P4, Pierre Gasly is P5 and George Russell is promoted to P6 with Hulkenberg now seventh alongside Fernando Alonso.
Nico Hulkenberg stewards verdict in full
The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 27 (Nico Hulkenberg), team representative and reviewed marshalling system data, video, timing and in-car video evidence.
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.
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 pit lane 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.
Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.
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