Haas was really looking forward to the Monaco GP. Before the weekend, they were ready to attack the highlight of the Formula 1 season because they had a special Monaco wing in their luggage that produces maximum downforce for the special requirements in the principality. But it was precisely this rear wing that was the racing team’s downfall: both cars were disqualified after qualifying because the distance between the two elements was too large when the DRS was open. How could this happen?
The regulations stipulate that the distance between the wing elements must not exceed 85 millimeters when DRS is activated. The Haas wing complied with this value – but not across the entire width. “We set the DRS opening so that it was too large on the outside,” explains team boss Ayao Komatsu.
The problem: In contrast to the previous rear wing, the Monaco model is designed in such a way that the distance is greatest at the edges. Previously, the critical area was in the middle, so the DRS amplitude was adjusted to this area. However, the design office did not inform the track crew about this specific feature of the new rear wing.
“The information would certainly have helped, but regardless, we would have had to carry out the legality checks on all areas at the track. When a brand new rear wing comes, you can’t just assume certain things,” said Komatsu.
Although the rear wing was several millimeters too wide, the error is said to have brought no advantage. “We gained zero performance as a result, absolutely zero. But that’s not the point,” says the team boss. The rules are clear: Anyone who violates the technical regulations will be disqualified.
Haas wants to optimize its processes in the future. Komatsu does not accept the different locations in England, Italy and the USA as an explanation for the faux pas: “That doesn’t help, but it is certainly not the fundamental cause. We have put a lot of focus on improving communication between the locations, it is much better than it used to be.”
Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen are still allowed to take part in the race, but starting positions 12 and 15 are gone. At least: Because the FIA approved a request from Haas and does not see the readjustment of the DRS as a setup change, the parc ferme rules are not broken. Therefore, Hülkenberg and Magnussen are allowed to start from positions 19 and 20 and do not have to follow from the pit lane.
Charles Leclerc on pole, Red Bull experiences a disaster. Find out what else happened on qualifying Saturday in Monaco in this video: