Lotus F1’s Kimi Raikkonen has been excluded from the qualifying session in Abu Dhabi after failing a front floor deflection test by the FIA. The team explained that the floor had been damaged due to striking a curb but the race stewards weren’t convinced:
“The stewards heard the explanation of the team that the relevant part broke upon contact with a kerb.
“However, the stewards did not accept that the incident referred to constituted an accident, or excused failing the relevant test.”
According to AUTOSPORT, a similar incident involving Raikkonen’s teammate, Romain Grosjean, happened in Hungary earlier this year and was excused hence the Abu Dhabi stewards felt the structure should have been remedied from future incidents such as this.
Raikkonen will start from the back of the grid and this helps an already struggling Ferrari who’s team leader, Fernando Alonso, failed to make it to Q3 during the session. It also advances Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg to 5th and could give the German a sniff at a podium finish if the team has gotten on top of its tire wear as the Pirelli’s seems to be more durable at Yas Marina.
