Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries will both start the Austrian Grand Prix from the pit lane due to parc ferme rule violations. Although Magnussen and De Vries were originally slated to start from P19 and P20 respectively, their teams have opted to implement a strategic penalty by making changes to their cars.
The extent of the changes differs between the two drivers, with De Vries’ car undergoing more significant alterations compared to Magnussen’s. The FIA document revealed that set-up parameter changes were made to Magnussen’s car with the approval of the FIA technical delegate, following a written request. As a result, car number 20 will be required to start from the pit lane in accordance with Article 40.9 of the 2023 Formula One Sporting Regulations.
On the other hand, AlphaTauri has reverted to a previous specification on both the beam wing and rear wing of De Vries’ car. Additionally, the suspension has undergone a set-up change. Furthermore, a new energy store and control electronics have been installed on De Vries’ ATO4.
The confirmed starting grid for the Austrian GP remains unchanged for the other drivers, with Max Verstappen leading the pack, followed by Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton.
While Magnussen and De Vries face the challenge of starting from the pit lane, their teams have strategically utilized the opportunity to make adjustments to their cars for minimal repercussions. The tactical penalty allows the teams to make changes that could potentially improve their performance during the race.
As the race unfolds, all eyes will be on the drivers navigating the Red Bull Ring circuit, with Verstappen aiming to maintain his lead and other drivers seeking to make progress through the field.
