Haas F1 lodges protest against Force India ahead of Abu Dhabi GP

Haas has lodged a protest against Formula 1 rival Force India ahead of this weekend's season finale in Abu Dhabi over a potential regulation breaꦓch regarding the construction of its cars.

In a bulletin issued by the FIA on Thursday at the Yas Marina Circuit, the FIA confirmed Haas had lodged a protest against both Force India entries🌸 - Car ও11 of Sergio Perez and Car 31 of Esteban Ocon - ahead of this weekend's race.

Update:

Haas F1 lodges protest against Force India

Haas has lodged a protest against Formula 1 rival Force India ahead of this weekend's season finale in Abu Dhabi over a potential regulatꦓion breach re൲garding the construction of its cars.

In a bulletin issued by the FIA on Thursday at the Yᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚas Marina Circuit, the FIA confirmed Haas had lodged a protest against both Force India entries - Car 11 of Sergio Perez and Car 31 of Esteban Ocon - ahead of this weekend's race.

Update:

The inve꧋stigation into the protest has been suspended until after the opening practice session in Abu Dhabi – 15:40 local time – to allow hearing for 𒐪further evidence.

“The Stewar🃏ds commenced their hearing of the Protest lodged by Haas F1 Team against Racing Point Force India F1 Team Cars 11 & 31 at 1100 hrs today,” an FIA statement read. “The hearing has been adjourned until 1540 hrs today to allow for the examination of 🙈additional documents submitted in evidence. It will reconvene at that time.”

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While no further details have been given, it is understood it relates to the intellectua🌳l property💫 of the Force India car, and whether there is a breach of the regulations.

While F1 constr🧸uctors are allowed to outsource the design and manufacture of 🎐‘listed parts’, they are required to “retain the exclusive right to use the Listed Parts in Formula 1 so long as it competes in Formula 1.”

The regulations add that no competitor can “pass on or receive any information on Listed Parts (including but not limited to💫 ಞdata, designs or drawings) directly to or from another competitor or via an external entity or third party.”

Force India’s car, the VJM11, was constructed by the team in its previous gu🅠ise prio💜r to its takeover.

Haas has been one of the most vocal teams opposin𓃲g plans for Force India to retain its right to a portion of F1’s ‘Column 1’ prize money following the sale of the team and its re-entry to the championship at the Belgian Grand Prix.

After being sold to a consortium following a period in administration, Sahara Force India was required to re-enter the championship as a new entry - Racing Point Force India - causing all of its pre-Belgium points ♐to💛 be wiped.

Despite this, the team claimed it had received approval to retain its prize money rights of the old Force India operation. New teams are required to complete two full sꦑeasons before they are eligible for a share of the ‘Column 1’ prize money that is shared equally between teams.

Haas team principal Günther Steiner would not be drawn on the matter earlier in the day, only saying they were “not making progress at the moment” in talks with F1 m🤡anagement.

The stewards will hear from re𝓀presentatives from both Haas and Force India at 11am local time in Abu Dhabi (7am GMT) on Fr🦄iday.

"Prior to meeting with the FIA Stewards at 11:00 on Friday 23rd November 2018, in relation to the protest against cars 11 & 31 (FIA Document 8), Haas F1 Team will not comment further on the matter," a representative from Haa✨s said.

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