Before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend had barely begun, two brief releases from the stewards appeared to cast a cloud over the event.

"Team representatives are required to report to the Stewards at 11:00 on the 23rd November 2018 in relation to the following," they both read. "Reason: Protest by Haas F1 Team against cars 11 & 31."

The first was addressed to Racing Point Force India and the second to Haas.

Quite what Haas is protesting is unclear, though this hasn't prevented all manner of speculation.

Certainly, it is not about the prize money issue which continues to rumble on, Haas having vetoed Racing Point Force India's claim to prize money following the team's rescue from administration.

According to the American team, as a new outfit, with new owners and racing under a different licence, Racing Point Force India should be treated as a new team - as was Haas when it entered the sport - and therefore not entitled to prize money from the get-go.

Despite Haas' insistence that the same rules should apply, Chase Carey is known to be working hard to find an amicable solution, leaving the Lawrence Stroll owned outfit confident that the final decision will be in its favour.

Giving nothing away in terms of the Abu Dhabi protest, when asked about the prize money, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner would only say, when asked if there was a solution in sight: No, unfortunately. We are not making progress at the moment. That is how we leave it."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Alan Morgan, 22/11/2018 19:46

"Sorry - I meant to say DreamySleepyNightlySnoozySnooze. I just got caught up in the excitement of the whole Haas/RP Wossname thing."

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2. Posted by Alan Morgan, 22/11/2018 19:42

"Wow! Just when I thought F1 was getting boring, this comes up.

Let me know what happens - I've just drunk a bottle of DreamyNightySnoozySnooze."

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3. Posted by PlayF1, 22/11/2018 18:16

"Ha!
We wonder if all those new fans, fully appreciate what 'racing' means in F1?
This is competitive racing, before a car has hit the circuit.

Let us hope that RP Force India, has overlooked some minor technical issue :)

I don't mean that, in any way, against FI ... they are a great team.
It's just that we all like an overtaking manoeuvre.
Especially, last minute overtaking manoeuvres that might be a little edgy.

If you are not just a mindless supporter of a team, one can enjoy the attempt, regardless of who is involved
... and then discuss (argue) it afterwards.

Hopefully it will be something exceptionally minor, like a small radius on a floor element.
... something that has 'little to no impact on performance'.

That would be the best.

I guess that the American newcomer fans, have quickly cottoned on to the racing rules.
They must be rubbing their hands in glee, at the sight of this dive up the inside.

... and they still have the 'Stewards decision' waiting in the wings, regarding the financial payout.

Let's hope that the Abu Dhabi race is as eventful. "

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4. Posted by RRZX-14, 22/11/2018 17:13

"Did Stroll & friends not purchase the IP for the car design from VJM when they took over?"

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Haas protests Racing Point Force India's cars

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