F1 Stewards Deliver Esteban Ocon Disqualification Verdict

Update published 1:52 p.m. ET: Esteban Ocon has been disqualified from qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after his Haas failed post-session scrutineering.

The Frenchman's car was found to have failed the rear wing main plane tip deflection test, leading Formula 1 technical delegate Jo Bauer to refer the matter to the stewards.

After investigation, the stewards have decided that the car did not conform to the regulations and would therefore be expelled from qualifying.

A stewards report read: "The FIA representatives described the test procedure used and reported that the distance between the two sections of RV-RW-PROFILES and RV-RW-TIP inboard of Y=525 varied by more than the permitted 0.5mm (0.6mm on the left side and 0.825mm on the right side.

"The calibration of the measuring instrument was verified and valid. The team conceded that the test procedure as outlined in the regulations had been followed and explained that the discrepancy was a result of a problem with the production of the assembly of this specific part.

"The Stewards determine that the vehicle does not comply with the regulations and hence impose the usual penalty of disqualification from the Qualifying classifications."

Original story published 12:05 p.m. ET: Esteban Ocon is facing disqualification from Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying after failing post-session scrutineering.

The Haas driver was the only driver that didn't progress into Q2 at the Baku City Circuit that wasn't involved in an incident during the first session, eventually finishing 18th fastest. But he could now be forced to start from the pitlane if the scrutineering referral is upheld.

Scrutineering failed

Esteban Ocon — David Kirouac-Imagn Images

A report from F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer read: "A rear wing main plane tip deflection test according to TR Article 3.15.17 was carried out on car 31. The deflection figures measured on this rear wing exceeded the allowed deflection of 0.5mm.

"Therefore I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration."

Flexi wings were a hot topic of conversation in F1 at the end of last season and the start of the current campaign with the sport's governing body, the FIA, introducing stricter scrutineering deflection tests to deter teams from using wings that excessively bend under load.

MORE: F1 Championship Leader Oscar Piastri Crashes Out In Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying

Ironically, it was at this race last season that the topic really blew up as rivals complained about McLaren's so-called 'mini-DRS', a drag-reduction effect caused by excessive flexing of the rear wing.

It seems that the Haas has fallen foul of this in scrutineering after qualifying, though there is no indication the same failure was present on teammate Oliver Bearman's car.

If Ocon is disqualified from the session, Alpine driver Pierre Gasly and Williams' Alex Albon would move up one spot on the grid each.

Albon was the first driver to crash out of qualifying, triggering the first of a record six red flag periods during the near two-hour session.

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