Esteban Ocon faced disqualification from the qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after his Haas VF-25 failed an FIA post-qualifying technical test. The car’s rear wing was found to flex beyond the stricter limits imposed during the early 2025 season, leading to the disqualification of Ocon’s qualifying time.
Why the Rear Wing Deflection Rule Led to Ocon’s Disqualification
In 2025, the FIA tightened regulations governing rear wing flexing, particularly targeting the main plane’s permissible deflection under vertical loads. Earlier this year, Article 3.15.17 of the technical regulations was updated to reduce the maximum allowed deflection from 2mm to just 0.5mm when 75kg vertical force is applied at the wing’s extremities. This rule change aimed to curb the aerodynamic advantages gained from flexible rear wings.
“Article 3.15.17, introduced in 2025, states that if 75kg of vertical load is applied on either extremity of the rear wing mainplane, the distance between the mainplane and the flap (also known as “slot gap”) must not vary by more than 2mm. From the forthcoming Grand Prix in Shanghai, this limit will be reduced to 0.5mm.”
— FIA statement
During the post-qualifying inspection, Ocon’s car was tested according to this regulation. The left side of the rear wing deflected by 0.6mm, while the right side showed an even larger deflection of 0.825mm, both surpassing the newly imposed 0.5mm limit. As a result, FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer reported the non-compliance to the race stewards, triggering a formal hearing.
Hearing and Team Admission of the Rear Wing Issue
The stewards summoned Esteban Ocon and Haas team representatives for a meeting at 19:45 AZT to discuss the infraction. During the hearing, Haas acknowledged the violation and attributed the excessive wing deflection to a production flaw during the assembly process of the specific car component. This admission led to Ocon’s disqualification from the qualifying results, nullifying his 18th-place position.
Ocon now faces starting the race either at the very back of the grid or from the pit lane, depending on whether Haas chooses to make car adjustments during the parc fermé conditions, which would invoke a pitlane start penalty.
Esteban Ocon’s Struggles at the Baku Circuit and Season Context
Despite some respectable qualifying performances earlier in the 2025 season, Ocon’s session around the challenging Baku City Circuit was particularly difficult. Initially, he secured 18th place, leading a pair of drivers who encountered problems during Q1—Alex Albon, who crashed early in the session, and Pierre Gasly, who went off track at Turn 4 on his final lap.
The disqualification compounded his frustrations, especially as Ocon had already expressed disappointment with his lap times.
“I was locking up in each of my laps, we had big issues with braking. We had it yesterday, but even more so today, so I’m really disappointed as I think there’s more in the car than that. Today’s disappointing to be where we are, but tomorrow hopefully we’ll come back and take every opportunity that presents itself.”
— Esteban Ocon, Haas driver
Ocon’s recent form has been underwhelming, with just one point scored over the last five races. Given Haas’ modest pace during the Azerbaijan GP weekend, starting near the back of the field due to the disqualification could further hinder his chances of earning points in Baku.
The Impact of Ocon’s Disqualification on His Race and Team Prospects
The enforcement of the stricter rear wing deflection limits is a clear message from the FIA to all teams, emphasizing adherence to aerodynamic regulations. For Haas and Esteban Ocon, this incident represents a setback in an already challenging season, where maximizing every opportunity is crucial.
Ocon’s demotion on the starting grid will likely affect his race strategy and potential to score points, especially on a street circuit like Baku where overtaking can be tricky. The team’s choice regarding repairs during parc fermé conditions will determine if he begins the race from the pit lane, potentially compounding his difficulties.
Looking ahead, the disqualification highlights the technical scrutiny teams face and the fine margins within which they operate. Haas must resolve such production issues swiftly to maintain competitiveness, while Ocon will need resilience to overcome this challenge and salvage his race weekend.
