Following the intense action on the track at Yas Marina, a significant event unfolded. The FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race came to a close, only to be followed by a shock announcement. Hitech Pulse-Eight's Paul Aron was disqualified from the results. A post-race report by the FIA Technical Delegate shed light on the matter, revealing that the DRS actuator of Car #17 had been modified. This blatant violation of Article 1.5.2 of the FIA F2 Technical Regulations was the cause for concern.

Understanding the Violation

It was determined that the DRS actuator of Car #17 had been tampered with, with an extension of one millimetre. This minor alteration allowed for a wider opening of the DRS wing, clearly in breach of the regulations. Such a technical infringement carried serious consequences, and as a result, Car #17 was disqualified from the Sprint Race. This standard penalty is imposed to maintain the integrity of the sport and ensure fair competition.Moreover, there is a strong presumption that the team was aware of the non-conformity of the part. If they had exercised due diligence, they should have been aware of the issue. Since an offence of this nature can only be committed through a deliberate act to modify the part, the Stewards deemed it appropriate to impose an additional penalty. Article 12.4.6 of the FIA International Sporting Code gave them the authority to do so.In view of the seriousness and nature of the offence, the Stewards decided that in addition to the disqualification from the Sprint Race, Car #17 should start from the pit lane for the Feature Race. This decision had a domino effect on the final standings.

The Impact on the Standings

DAMS Lucas Oil's Dino Beganovic was promoted to P3, achieving his first Formula 2 podium. This was a remarkable moment for him and his team. Jak Crawford also moved up to eighth place and secured the final point. Isack Hadjar moved up to fifth in the final classification, narrowing the gap with Gabriel Bortoleto. Going into the final Feature Race of the season, he now trails by just four and a half points.These changes in the standings highlight the significance of every decision and every technical aspect in the sport. It shows how a single violation can have a ripple effect on the entire race and the final results. The FIA's strict enforcement of the regulations serves to maintain the highest level of competition and fairness in Formula 2.