The FIA has made their decision and rejected Haas’ petition for a right to review the 2023 United States Grand Prix results.
In October’s US GP, Haas’ two drivers finished outside the points, with Nico Hulkenberg finishing 11th and Kevin Magnussen 14th, capping off a disappointing home race for the American outfit.
But Haas demanded a look into the results after they felt that several drivers weren’t penalised for track limit breaches during the race.
A whopping 35 lap times were deleted during the 2023 US GP because of track limit infringements in eight corners of the Circuit of the Americas [COTA], but only Alex Albon, who was classified ninth, received a time penalty.
Albon wasn’t the only driver in danger of losing his points as Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll fell foul of track limits and were at risk of receiving time penalties.
Following a day of meetings involving team representatives from Haas, Aston Martin, Red Bull and Williams, the petition was rejected due to a lack of significant or relevant evidence, which warranted a change of result.
This means Perez keeps his fourth place, Stroll seventh and Albon ninth whilst dropping another hammer blow to Haas’ chances of securing seventh in the constructors’ championship.
Track limits change potentially in place for 2024
Despite failing to achieve a change or result, Haas’ result has alerted the FIA to a potential shift in how track limits are enforced.
Track limits have been a massive headache throughout the 2023 F1 season, with the final classification from races such as July’s Austrian GP being decided hours after Max Verstappen took victory.
Before Saturday’s Sprint shootout at COTA, the white lines at Turns 9,12, and 19 were widened after several drivers lost their lap times during Qualifying because of track limits offences.
“Notwithstanding the formal outcome of this decision,” the FIA said in a statement. “The Stewards have seen individual pieces of evidence that show what appears to be potential track limit breaches at the apex of Turn 6.
“They find their inability to properly enforce the current standard for track limits for all competitors completely unsatisfactory.
“Therefore [we] strongly recommend to all concerned solution to prevent further reoccurrences of this widespread problem be rapidly deployed.
“Whether the problem is properly addressed by better technology solutions, track modifications, a combination thereof, or a different regulation and enforcement standard,
“It is clear that a complete solution cannot, as a matter of practicality, happen this year given the number of different circuits where significant track limit issues arose this season.
“The FIA, in conjunction with the circuits, have already made significant strides [to find] further solutions before the start of the 2024 season.”
