Official: penalty confirmed for Nico Hulkenberg after qualifying at Yas Marina | F1 Abu Dhabi GP. Nico Hulkenber has been handed a 3-place grid penalty for overtaking two cars in the pit exit tunnel in Abu Dhabi.

Nico Hulkenberg’s dream of starting from the second row, specifically in fourth place, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix lasted only a few hours before being dashed by the evening’s stewards’ decision.

The Haas driver, who had set the fourth-fastest time in qualifying (ahead of Max Verstappen, both Mercedes, and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari), was penalized with a 3-place grid drop, to be applied at the next Grand Prix he participates in—effectively, tomorrow’s race barring any surprises.

The decision, documented as ruling #37 and issued at 9:20 PM local time in Yas Marina, explains the reason for the penalty.

Hulkenberg violated Article 12.2.1 i) of the International Sporting Code and Note 12.4 of Document 13, which outlines the race director’s event-specific notes for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The incident occurred when Hulkenberg overtook two cars in the pit exit tunnel in an attempt to complete one final timed lap during this afternoon’s qualifying session.

While the stewards acknowledged that the Haas garage’s position in the pit lane is a limiting factor for sending its cars out, they ruled that this cannot serve as a valid excuse for exceeding the regulations.

The maneuver was deemed non-compliant with the rules as overtaking in certain areas of the pit lane is considered potentially dangerous. Consequently, Hulkenberg received a 3-place grid penalty, meaning he will not start from fourth tomorrow but rather from seventh.

As a result of the penalty, Max Verstappen moves up to fourth place on the grid, Pierre Gasly climbs into the top five, and George Russell starts sixth.