After producing his best qualifying result of the season in Abu Dhabi, Nico Hulkenberg has been hit with a three-place grid drop for failing to follow the race director’s instructions by overtaking two cars on the pit exit road.
The Haas driver had qualified in P4, setting him up for a strong start to the 58-lap race at the Yas Marina Circuit, but he will now be demoted to seventh on the grid behind Pierre Gasly and George Russell.
READ MORE: Norris clinches pole position for Abu Dhabi GP ahead of Piastri as McLaren lock out front row
In a document published by the FIA, the stewards explained: “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.”
