Failed front-wing test demotes Raikkonen to pit lane start!

The weekend drama continued in Baku on Sunday when Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen was excluded from yesterday's qualifying results after his car failed a front-wing deflection test.

The Finn has therefore lost his P8 spot on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix grid and because his team changed the specification of his Alfa Romeo's front wing the Finn will start his race from the pitlane along with Red Bull's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Robert Kubica.

Williams set-up changes mean pitlane start for Kubica

A representative of Alfa Romeo Racing was required to report to the Azerbaijan GP stewards at 13h35 local time for an "alleged breach of Article 3.9.8. of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations".

The infringement related to the front wing flap of Raikkonen's Alfa Romeo C38 "deflecting more than 5mm under a load of 60N".

After reviewing the evidence from the Technical Delegate and heard from the team's representatives, the stewards confirmed the technical breach.

Alfa Romeo Racing has a right to appeal the decision in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code, but with mere hours remaining before the lights go off in Baku, an appeal is obviously futile.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.