Haas pair disqualified from Monaco qualifying after DRS infringement

Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg have been disqualified from the results of qualifying for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix after the stewards discovered an irregularity with the opening of the drag reduction system (DRS) on the rear wings of their VF-24s.

Hulkenberg and Magnussen were due to start 12th and 15th for the Monte Carlo race after early pace promise in qualifying faded slightly for the American team.

However, in the aftermath of the Saturday afternoon session, a note from FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer was issued saying: “The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car numbers 20 [Magnussen] and 27 [Hulkenberg]. The [left-hand side] and [right-hand side] outermost area of the of the adjustable elements were exceeding the maximum allowed 85mm on both cars.

“As this is not in compliance with [Technical Regulations] Article 3.10.10 h), I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

The stewards duly ruled that the rear wing element on both cars was non-compliant, writing: “The Technical Delegate discovered on examination that the uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions exceeded the maximum allowed under Article 3.10.10.h of the Technical Regulations of 85mm.

“The team explained that this was the consequence of an inadvertent error on their part in setting the wing flap gap. 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.”

While the team stated that there was “no performance advantage gained by their non-compliance”, it was noted that Article 1.3.3 of the International Sporting Code “makes it clear that this is irrelevant”.

And though Haas were “candid” in admitting the error – and the FIA technical team were “satisfied with the team’s explanation for the error” – each of the squad’s cars was disqualified from the qualifying classification.

It means that both Hulkenberg and Magnussen will start from the back for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, after home hero Charles Leclerc claimed pole position for Ferrari.