Nico Hülkenberg has been disqualified from the F1 Bahrain GP as his car failed a post-race inspection due to excessive skid wear.
The 37-year-old had driven a good race at Sakhir. Starting 16th on the grid after the hugely controversial Q1 lap time deletion that took place over 40 minutes after the session concluded saw Alex Albon lose out heavily, he recovered to P13 in the race as he managed to beat the Racing Bulls on the road.
Ultimately, however, the car of Nico Hülkenberg was illegal and was promptly disqualified from the F1 Bahrain GP.
FIA statement on referring Hülkenberg and his C45 to the stewards after the F1 Bahrain GP
“The rearmost skid was measured according to the team’s legality documents submission inaccordance with TD039 L, item 1.2 b) i). Measurements were taken along the stifness compliant area at three different points of the periphery (inner arc). The recorded measurement were 8.4 mm (LHS), 8.5 mm (car centerline) and 8.4 mm (RHS). As this is less than the 9 mm minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e), I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”
FIA statement on the disqualification of Nico Hülkenberg from the F1 Bahrain GP
“During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement iscorrect and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that it was a genuine error by the team.
“The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 e) of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement.”
