US GP result could be changed two weeks after F1 race ended as protest lodged

04 November 2023 , 17:32

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The FIA must decide if Haas' protest is admissible (Image: Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

More Formula 1 uncertainty is on the horizon after an official protest was lodged against the result of the United States Grand Prix.

Under F1 rules, competitors have up to 14 days after an event to submit a protest. And Haas have exercised their right to do exactly that over the outcome of the Austin race.

Following the Grand Prix, questions were raised over the track limits issue by several teams. Onboard camera footage from cars showed that there were several examples of cars going over the white lines, but those incidents were not counted on the official list of breaches.

Several teams queried the issue with the FIA a few days later. It was admitted that the cameras at turn six which were supposed to detect track limit violations at that corner were not enough to catch every example.

It seems, though, that admission has not been enough to placate Haas. The team has formally asked the FIA to review the matter in the belief that several drivers should avoided penalties that they should have been given.

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Clearly, Haas feel those penalties would be enough to bump their driver Nico Hulkenberg up into the points position. As such, it could have a significant impact on the outcome of the constructors' championship.

Haas have slipped to the bottom of the standings after Daniel Ricciardo's strong result in Mexico which catapulted AlphaTauri up to eighth. Any points they can gain through challenging the result of the race will go a long way to helping the team avoid finishing at the bottom of the pile in 2023.

There is a chance, though, that the FIA may not even allow the team to present its full case. Regulations dictate that an official review can only be allowed if new evidence is presented by the complainant.

Haas plan to use onboard footage from cars during the race to back up its argument that drivers should have been punished for track limits violations. But, given the stewards would have had access to those at the time, it may be the case that those images may not be treated as fresh evidence.

A meeting to decide the legitimacy of Haas' protest is due to take place next week. A full right of review hearing will only take place after that if the FIA decides that there is enough new evidence to trigger one.

Daniel Moxon