F1 News: Hulkenberg Oblivious Of Haas Saudi Arabian GP Tactics Amid Calls For FIA Action
Nico Hulkenberg was oblivious to the fact that his Haas teammate, Kevin Magnussen, had deliberately slowed down during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to aid Hulkenberg in securing a point. This strategic move by Haas has sparked a call for action by the FIA, following critiques from Williams and VCARB.
Key Takeaways:
- Nico Hulkenberg was unaware of teammate Kevin Magnussen's tactics to slow down during the race, which helped Hulkenberg score a point.
- Magnussen faced penalties but managed to hold back competitors, benefiting Hulkenberg.
- Williams' team principal, James Vowles, has called for a review of Haas' race strategies following the event.
Haas Press Image
During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg found himself unwittingly assisted by his teammate, Kevin Magnussen, who had slowed his pace on the track following team orders. This move came after Haas decided to employ different strategies for their drivers in response to a safety car situation caused by Lance Stroll's crash.
Magnussen, who had accumulated penalties due to incidents during the race, managed to hold up the field, allowing Hulkenberg to create a significant gap. This strategic play facilitated Hulkenberg's finish in the points, a fact he was completely unaware of during the race. Hulkenberg expressed his surprise, saying:
“No, no, I didn’t.
“I was told that the gap opened up, but I wasn’t aware why. I just thought, ‘I am so good that I fly away from the pack!’
“For the most part I was by myself, just driving, pushing. There was no tyre saving going on, it was flat out, so quite physical. But I enjoyed it.”
Williams Press Image
The strategy has not gone unnoticed, with Williams Team Principal James Vowles calling for scrutiny over Haas' tactics. Vowles highlighted the impact of such strategies on the race's fairness and competitive spirit. He stated:
“I know we had a car that could score a point there, and yet we walk away without anything to our name.
“Now in part, that was because Alex’s car was damaged by Magnussen pushing him into the wall, receiving a penalty as a result of it, but then using tactics to back up the remainder of the field and create a gap so that Hulkenberg could score that additional point.
“Now those questions on whether or not those tactics are viable or not, or on sportsman like.
“Let’s review that as an organisation and a sport going forward. My opinion from it is that’s not how I want to go racing.”
Despite the emerging controversy, Hulkenberg appreciated Magnussen's efforts and vowed to reciprocate in future races. He acknowledged his teammate's role in his success, stating:
“One point, I’m obviously happy about that. Great team effort, great team game by Kevin.
“I was told that he really helped my case by holding up the pack behind him, which obviously helped open up the window for me to take the point.
“A very good job from him on that side. And thank you, I’ll return the favour later in the season.”
The incident at the Saudi Arabian GP has ignited a debate within the F1 community about the boundaries of team strategies and their impact on the sport's integrity. As the season unfolds, the response from the FIA and the broader community to this incident will be keenly observed.