Bahrain Grand Prix – No penalty points for Nico Hülkenberg
After being penalized with a time penalty for repeatedly exceeding the track limits, Nico Hülkenberg, however, did not receive any penalty points, a first.
For his debut with Haas, Nico Hülkenberg finished the weekend in 15th position. He had a difficult race and was penalized with a fifteen-second penalty for exceeding track limits five times.
Reminder of the rule
Until now, the FIA regulations state that track limits can be exceeded three times. From the fourth time onwards, time penalties are imposed and the driver in question receives penalty points on their license. If they lose all 12 points on their license, they risk a race ban.
The rule appears to have suddenly changed at the start of the 2023 season since Nico Hülkenberg was not deducted any points in relation to the race.
A good news for Gasly
Penalty points are normally awarded in case of dangerous behavior during the race. The fact that they are also awarded for exceeding track limits too often has often caused discontent in the paddock, as it does not necessarily reflect dangerous driving.
The French driver, Pierre Gasly, is currently under the threat of a suspension race as he only has ten points left out of the twelve on his license. This rule change would thus be good news for him.
