Just In: FIA announce SHOCK disqualification at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after…read more
FIA announce SHOCK disqualification at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after…read more
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend delivered drama both on and off the track, with a notable disqualification shaking up the Formula 2 sprint race results. Paul Aron, driving for Hitech and set to be Alpine’s Formula 1 reserve driver in 2025, was stripped of his podium finish after his car was found to have breached technical regulations.
The weekend, which marked the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 season at Yas Marina Circuit, also hosted the final round of the 2024 Formula 2 championship. As is tradition, the event featured a sprint race on Saturday followed by the main feature race on Sunday. Aron initially appeared to start his weekend on a high note, claiming a podium spot in Saturday’s sprint.
However, celebrations were short-lived. A post-race investigation revealed that Aron’s car had an illegal modification to its DRS actuator. According to the FIA technical delegate’s report, the actuator had been altered to increase its length by one millimeter, allowing for a wider opening of the DRS wing. This seemingly minor adjustment provided a performance advantage by improving the car’s straight-line speed during DRS activation.
The FIA deemed the modification a serious breach of F2 technical regulations, leading to Aron’s disqualification from the sprint race. In addition, he was handed a pit lane start for Sunday’s feature race as an extra penalty. The governing body highlighted the deliberate nature of the infringement, emphasizing that the team either knew or should have known about the non-compliant part.
“Car #17 has been disqualified from the results of the Sprint Race, the standard penalty for a technical infringement,” read an official F2 statement. “Given the seriousness of the offence, the Stewards consider it appropriate that in addition to the disqualification, Car #17 should start from the pit lane for the Feature Race.”
Starting from the pit lane left Aron with an uphill battle in Sunday’s feature race. Despite his efforts, the Estonian finished in 11th place, falling short of the points.
The weekend wasn’t entirely overshadowed by controversy, as Gabriel Bortoleto secured the Formula 2 championship title in the feature race. The future Sauber/Audi driver beat Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar to clinch the championship, wrapping up a stellar season for the Brazilian.
For Aron, the weekend served as a frustrating conclusion to his 2024 campaign, leaving him with a stark reminder of the high stakes and tight regulations governing motorsport.
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