Nico Hulkenberg has strongly criticized Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll for failing to yield during a pitlane collision in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. The incident, which damaged Hulkenberg’s Sauber’s front wing, has sparked debate over the rules governing right of way in the pitlane.
Hulkenberg described the encounter as unusual and maintained that he followed the correct procedures, expecting Stroll to allow him to merge safely.
Details on the Pitlane Collision and Driver Perspectives
After qualifying, Hulkenberg explained that when a front wheel crosses the dividing white line between the slow lane and the fast lane in the pit area, the driver already in the fast lane should concede priority. He was confident his tyre was across that line, which he believed entitled him to right of way.
“So we touched. A bit peculiar and obviously unnecessary that we lose a front wing like this. I hope we can recover it. But yeah, we’ll see.”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
When pressed about who had the right of way, Hulkenberg deferred to the race officials, stating,
“Well, we’ll see. I think we’ll go to the stewards and see what they say.”
Conversely, Lance Stroll, who exited in Q1, claimed he was simply maintaining his position in the queue and insisted he did not have to yield.
“I was just doing my thing in the queue. And yeah, I think he was trying to get his nose in the queue,”
Stroll said.
“I didn’t have to [let him in]. I mean, I was in the queue.”
FIA Regulations on Pitlane Right of Way Clarified
The official race director’s notes clarify that a car is considered to be in the fast lane only when all of its tyre crosses the solid white line that separates the fast lane from the inner lane near the garages. Under these regulations, once a car’s tyre has fully crossed this line, the driver merging into the fast lane should be granted priority.
“It is noted that a car will be considered to be ‘in the fast lane’ when a tyre has crossed the solid white line separating the fast lane from the inner lane, in this context crossing means that all of a tyre should be beyond the far side, with respect to the garages, of the line separating the fast lane from the inner lane,”
the notes read.
Drivers exiting their garages or pit stops must merge into the fast lane as soon as it is safe without hindering cars already in that lane. When a suitable gap in the fast lane appears, drivers should blend in smoothly.
“Thus, after the start or re-start of a Free Practice Session, Sprint Qualifying or Qualifying Session, if there is a suitable gap in a queue of cars in the fast lane, such that a driver can blend into the fast lane safely and without unnecessarily impeding cars already in the fast lane, they are free to do so.”
Stewards Launch Investigation Into the Incident
Both Hulkenberg and Stroll have been summoned to the stewards for allegedly breaching Article 34.8 of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, which governs behaviour in the pitlane.
The stewards will thoroughly review the incident to determine fault, given the conflicting accounts and the complexity of the pitlane position rules.
Hulkenberg Prepares for Challenging Race Conditions
Following the qualifying incident, Hulkenberg warned of a difficult race ahead, especially with rain forecasted at Spa, one of the longest and most demanding circuits on the calendar. He acknowledged the unpredictability of conditions across the track and the challenges this presents to all drivers.
“You know, it’s very tough and difficult, especially around here in Spa. It’s such a long lap as well. It can be very different conditions between one place and another place on the track. So, difficult task for everyone coming up I would say.”
Despite the setback in qualifying and the damage sustained, Hulkenberg remains focused on adapting to the challenging circumstances that lie ahead in the Belgian Grand Prix.
