
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced a disappointing turn of events after the United States Grand Prix. Both drivers, who showcased impressive performances on the Austin track, were disqualified following a technical breach. The FIA Technical team, during a post-race inspection, identified irregularities related to the wear and tear of certain components on their cars, specifically in the area marked -825 ≥ XR ≥ -1025, which did not align with the 2023 Formula One Technical Regulations, Article 3.5.9 e.
Hamilton had secured a brilliant second-place finish, relentlessly challenging the race winner, Max Verstappen, throughout the event. Mercedes had introduced their final major upgrade package for the season in Austin, making Hamilton’s performance all the more remarkable.
Leclerc, on the other hand, crossed the finish line in sixth place, just narrowly ahead of George Russell in the second Mercedes. He had opted for a one-stop strategy, which proved less favorable in the late stages of the race. Both teams presented their cases to the stewards, suggesting that the excessive wear on the skid pads may have been influenced by the challenging combination of the bumpy track and the condensed Sprint race schedule, which limited their preparation and car inspections.
However, the stewards emphasized that competitors bear the responsibility to ensure compliance with the regulations at all times during an event. In this particular instance, the rear skid pads in the area specified by the Technical Delegate’s report exceeded the thresholds outlined in Article 3.5.9 e of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, even when accounting for a wear tolerance. As a result, both Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified from the race.
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