Szafnauer left furious after Hulkenberg penalty

  • Published on 26 Nov 2017 17:32
  • comments 5
  • By: Sam Gale

Force India's chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer has called Nico Hulkenberg's penalty at today's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix "a mockery of the sport," after the penalty had no effect on the German's race even though he had illegally overtaken Sergio Perez. Many were left confused as to why he was not ordered to hand the position back to Perez and instead given a time penalty.

The overtake of Perez was potentially a crucial one as at the time Renault would not have secured enough points to overtake Toro Rosso in the constructor's championship and thus missing out on a large amount of prize money. This could potentially have directly affected the teams competitiveness against the likes of Force India for next season.

"They gain a place in the constructors championship which means more money for next year," said Szafnauer, "It makes a mockery of the sport to have it so inconsistent. I think Hulkenberg should have given the place back just like the same thing he did to Grosjean. I don't know what the FIA are thinking. It's really difficult to understand when the decisions are all over the place."

 

Sam Gale

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    it would be nice if each penalty had a specified punishment I was shocked the time it took to give the penalty. Again FIA playing favorites. To me it is like the oil burn rule A way was found to allow MB to continue at the higher burn rate.

    • + 0
    • Nov 27 2017 - 02:07
  • Jutlandia

    Posts: 191

    I think Hulkenberg is the most unsportive driver in the field...

    • + 0
    • Nov 27 2017 - 12:38
    • xoya

      Posts: 583

      And he can "Suck my balls mate" :D

      • + 0
      • Nov 27 2017 - 17:18
    • No, that's definitely (ironically) Magnussen. Almost in every race he did something reprehensible. This last one? Apart from the driving erros, the way he slowed Verstappen down when getting lapped was a disgrace

      • + 0
      • Nov 27 2017 - 23:08
  • This was a combination of slow reaction by stewards and bad/good luck. I don't understand why they didn't simply tell Nico to give the place back. I think he had the pace to pass Sergio regardless. Anyway... this doesn't rank even in the top 10 worst steward decisions this year.

    • + 0
    • Nov 27 2017 - 23:10

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country FR
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (36)
  • Place of b. Geneve, FR
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar