Why right to review Haas was hopeless before it started

Haas made a right to review with the FIA but has not been vindicated. Anyone looking at the FIA's documentation can understand why the stewards arrived at this verdict. It is particularly extraordinary that Haas thought they had a chance.

On 3 November 2023, Haas reported to the stewards requesting a right to review. Article 14 of the FIA's sporting regulations states that you can do this if you present significant evidence, new, previously inaccessible and relevant to the review. On all counts, Haas fell short.

Why Haas was not vindicated by the stewards

In fact, the FIA document shows that Haas provided onboard images of the cars in question or cars driving behind the cars that Haas said were punishable. These include Alexander Albon, Logan Sargeant, Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez. According to Haas, all four drivers should receive (multiple) penalties for exceeding the track limits.

While the footage shows that the four drivers exceeded the track limits on several occasions, Haas was never eligible for a right to review. This is because the footage is not new and was available to Haas even after the US GP. So, based on that information alone, Haas could have known that this had no chance of success.

In addition, it also plays into the fact that the stewards have looked at this kind of footage before. They were already available to the stewards, but after the US GP, it was simply stated that turn 6 could not be checked. The camera was not properly positioned there to determine for each driver whether or not he had gone over the track limit.

FIA frustrated by track limits

As the stewards could not determine it for every driver, no penalty was handed out for any driver. So, onboard footage of certain drivers does show something, but as that footage is not available for everyone, no penalties are handed out. So, the footage provided by Haas has no relevance.

Haas also pointed to a meeting that had taken place before the Mexican Grand Prix. In a meeting between the teams there, the lack of monitoring of Turn 6 in America had already been discussed. However, the fact that this was discussed is irrelevant, as no decision was taken there.

Haas was thus not vindicated. The stewards are frustrated at the inability to take action against exceeding track limits and have therefore issued a request to all concerned. From Haas' perspective, though, the case remains remarkable because if you read the rules, you could also figure in advance that onboard footage would not pass the test for a right to review.