Hulkenberg to start Spanish GP from pit lane

Nico Hulkenberg will start Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix from the pit lane after a regulation breach by Renault in the change of his front wing during qualifying.

Hulkenberg's Renault R.S.19 car was fitted with a different specification of front wing midway through Q1 on Saturday after the German driver hit the wall at Turn 4 during his first flying lap.

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer referred Renault to the race stewards in Barcelona on Sunday morning after the team failed to mention the change in specification, thus making it a breach of parc ferme regulations.

Confirmation of Hulkenberg's requirement to start from the pit lane followed soon after on Sunday afternoon.

The stewards' report reads: "The Stewards reviewed the evidence from the Technical Delegate and sought clarification from the Team Sporting Director.

"The Sporting Director advised that the Team’s opinion was that the front wing main plane was 'similar' to the one it replaced. However the Team was willing to accept the view of the FIA Technical Delegate that the front wing is of a different specification from the one used during qualifying.

"Accordingly, the Stewards determine that the competitor is required to start the race from the pit lane."

With a pit lane start confirmed, Renault has opted to give Hulkenberg an all-new power unit as it won’t impact the German’s starting position. The German driver takes on his fourth internal combustion engine, fourth turbocharger, fourth MGU-H plus third MGU-K and third control electronics for the season.

The FIA has confirmed the penalties, which would usually see the driver start from the back of the grid, but his pit lane start will not change due to the prior penalty of the front wing change.

Renault has also changed the brake map parameters on Hulkenberg's car.