F1 News: Haas Takes Stand on Track Limits - FIA Called To Review U.S. Grand Prix

Haas F1's petition for a right of review on track limit breaches at the U.S. Grand Prix prompts the FIA to consider enhanced monitoring for future races.

Author:
Lydia Mee
Publish date:
Nov 4, 2023

Following the U.S. Grand Prix, the Haas F1 Team has initiated a formal petition for a right of review by the FIA concerning alleged track limit violations that went unchecked during the event. The FIA has recognised the request, setting the stage for a potential reassessment of the race results, which could impact the drivers' standings and the constructors' championship.

Key Takeaways

Petition for Review: Haas F1 Team has lodged a petition with the FIA for a right of review over alleged track limit infringements at the U.S. Grand Prix, citing on-board footage as evidence of breaches by several drivers.
Insufficient Monitoring Admitted: The FIA conceded that the monitoring systems at Turn 6 of the Circuit of the Americas were inadequate for policing track limits accurately, an issue that had allowed some infringements to go unnoticed.
Potential Championship Impact: Sanctions against drivers including Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant, and Lance Stroll, if applied retrospectively, could significantly shuffle the race order, potentially benefiting Haas' Nico Hulkenberg in the drivers' championship.

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After the chequered flag was waved at the Circuit of the Americas, the race seemed over, but for Haas F1 Team, a different kind of contest has just begun. The American outfit has challenged the FIA over what they believe were several clear-cut cases of track limit abuses that escaped official notice. On-board footage has become the cornerstone of Haas' argument, revealing multiple instances where cars strayed well over the white lines, particularly at Turn 6.

This lack of scrutiny isn't a matter the FIA takes lightly, but their admission that the corner's camera setup was suboptimal for the task at hand left them unable to conclusively act on the potential violations.

Armed with detailed on-board images, Haas has taken the fight to the FIA's doorstep. Not only does the gathered evidence cast a spotlight on the events of the U.S. Grand Prix, but it also brings forth the critical question of whether these insights constitute 'new elements' under Article 14.1.1 of the FIA International Sporting Code.

If Haas manages to convince the governing body, repercussions could ripple through the standings, altering the landscape of the constructors' championship as penalties could displace the involved drivers, including the likes of Sergio Perez, Logan Sargeant, and Lance Stroll, Alex Albon and elevate Haas' Nico Hulkenberg.