• Abu Dhabi GP

Red Bulls to start from pit lane with different front wings

ESPN Staff
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Following their exclusion from qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, both Red Bulls will now be forced to start Sunday's race from the pit lane after changing their illegal front wings overnight.

The FIA deemed that flaps on the Red Bull's front wing were designed to flex under aerodynamic load in order to gain an advantage, which is in breach of the technical regulations regarding moving bodywork.

In order to comply with the regulations, Red Bull changed the wings on both cars, which then put them in breach of parc ferme regulations that prohibit changes to the cars between qualifying and the race. As a result, they must start from the pit lane rather than the back of the grid.

"Although the team carried out work with approval of the technical delegate [Jo Bauer], parts have been replaced on car 1 and car 3 that are different to those originally used," the stewards' statement said.

However, Red Bull has second in the constructors' championship secure, so Sunday's result will not make a significant difference to the team.

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