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MoneyGram Haas F1 Team have asked the FIA to review the results of the 2023 United States Grand Prix.
Nico Hulkenberg ended the 2023 United States Grand Prix in 11th position (Image Credit: Jerry Andre / LAT Images)This protest from the American outfit has come almost two weeks following the conclusion of the race. Both drivers failed to score points for the team, but they will be hoping that at least one driver ahead of Nico Hulkenberg will receive a belated time penalty, as the German crossed the finish line in 11th.
Speaking to The Race, a representative of Haas F1 has confirmed that the team has lodged a “right of review request” regarding track limits infringements not being correctly applied to drivers over the course of the 56-lap event.
While full details of the protest have yet to be revealed, it is safe to assume that the point of contention surrounds multiple drivers cutting the corner at Turn 6.
McLaren’s Lando Norris admitted to taking liberties at the same corner to the media after the race. He said: “I did it as well, to be honest. I knew it was a corner they couldn’t penalise me because they set the precedent in previous tracks of ‘if you can’t visually see it, you’re going to get away with it’.”
“You have to know the grey areas and the things you can get away with and that was one of them. So to everyone that did to it, fair play.”
However, this comment could very well come back to bite the Briton, who claimed an impressive podium behind race winner Max Verstappen. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the race for a breach of the technical regulations.
Haas clawing for points in a subpar season
Along with Norris’ “confession”, Haas will most likely provide video evidence of other cars cutting the sweeping Turn 6 in their protest. The video footage may come primarily from the onboard cameras of Hulkenberg and Magnussen, as there was no track cameras in the correct position to show whether the rear tyres were over the line or not at Turn 6.
Haas currently sit last in the Constructors’ Standings on 12 points, albeit just four behind both Alfa Romeo and AlphaTauri. They haven’t scored in the last three rounds, while Magnussen endured a frightening crash during the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Where each team ends up at the end of the campaign has a significant bearing on prize money; depending on the revenue F1 makes this year it can be between $10-15 million per position in the Championship. This will be crucial as Haas look to improve their relative performance for the 2024 season.
Hulkenberg and Magnussen line up 11th and 12th respectively for the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix.
Feature Image Credit: Andy Hone / LAT Images
