• Hungarian Grand Prix - Qualifying

Grosjean avoids post-qualifying penalty for floor issue

ESPN Staff
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Romain Grosjean qualified in third place at the Hungaroring © Getty Images
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Romain Grosjean has escaped penalty following qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix after accidental damage was found to be the reason his car failed a front floor test.

The FIA tested the deflection of the front floor on the top three cars after qualifying, and while Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull conformed with the regulations, Grosjean's Lotus was found to deflect more than the permitted 5mm and as a result is in breach of technical regulations.

However, after the matter was referred to by the stewards investigations showed Grosjean's floor stay was damaged by an impact with the kerb at Turn 11 during Q2. As a result, the stewards decided to take no further action.

"It is the conclusion of the stewards that the failure of this part was due to the impact in Q2 and subsequently caused the car to fail to meet the requirements of Article 3.17.5," the Stewards' decision read. "Accordingly this is deemed to be a case of accidental damage, not a case of non-compliance."

Grosjean will start from third on the grid.

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