The F2 Qualifying session in at the 2024 Azerbaijan GP weekend ended in disaster for the Campos Racing duo. The French and Spanish drivers sessions came to an abrupt ending. Both drivers locked up and crashed into the barrier at Turn 1, triggering a Red Flag.
With just 10 minutes left in the second F2 session of the Azerbaijan GP weekend, Isack Hadjar and Pepe Martí both experienced brake failures which saw them end up in the tech pro barrier at the end of Turn 1. This was a seemingly strange issue for the duo, with many putting it down to a sheer engeenering failure.
The FIA however disagreed and summoned the Frenchman to the stewards room. Hadjar was under investigation for being in breach of Article 33.5 of the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Sporting Regulations, a rule that was newly introduced for the 2024 season. This rule states that “Any driver who causes red flags during qualifying will lose their quickest lap times.”
Hadjar was penalised, and will start both the F2 sprint and feature race at the Azerbaijan GP weekend from P20 on the grid with only two drivers behind. A win from this position is far from impossible. With Hadjar’s main title fighter Gabriel Bortoleto pulling the historic win off in Monza.
Reactions from top F2 qualifiers
Richard Verschoor, when asked about the situation, was unsure on this situation. However he remained adamant on a fair assessment. “If it’s a mechanical issue and we lose the lap, of course, that’s not fair.” Verschoor also mentioned that if the video evidence suggests a mechanical failure, it might make the penalty seem unjust. However, he acknowledged that if the fault was due to driver error, the penalty would be appropriate.
Martins also weighed in on the issue, sharing empathy for Hadjar’s situation. “I think when you’re in this moment, if you imagine it’s yourself, you wouldn’t like it if they took your lap time away.”
The FIA ultimately deemed it to be Hadjar’s fault entirely. Writing in their document “the failure of the driver to negotiate Turn 1 because the rear brakes had overheated was within the driver and team’s control, as such a penalty was warranted.”
However, Verschoor, Antonelli and Martins continuosy emphasised how fast F2 races change at Baku. Therefore, they believe anything is possible this weekend in the F2 races at the Azerbaijan GP weekend. Hadjar may be starting in a less than ideal position, but, he is not out of the fight.
Featured Image photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
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