Mercedes blames Sprint week format for Lewis Hamilton’s US GP disqualification

Mercedes P2 finish was disqualified after the race for failing to follow the Technical Regulation

Mercedes blames Sprint week format for Lewis Hamilton’s US GP disqualification

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

After scoring a magnificent podium at the Circuit of the Americas, the podium car number 44 was disqualified by the FIA after failing a surprise inspection by the FIA. Lewis Hamilton, the car number 44’s driver, lost his podium and the 18-point finish that could’ve slingshotted him very close to the P2 runner Sergio Perez in the Driver’s standings.

However, even after accepting the disqualification, Mercedes blamed the sprint format for their technical breach. They believe the sprint format only allows teams with only one free practice which leads to teams not being able to understand the cars fully. That’s why teams are forced to sometimes go beyond the regulations to favor their cars in races, as done by car numbers 44 and 16.

https://youtu.be/5wiZ5PLr3ac?si=3KDqRQ0NlFmJ_r_1

In the post-race press conference, Mercedes’ Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin, talked about the Disqualification of their car. He pointed out that the time constraints due to sprint races were a massive issue as the parc ferme approached quickly. ‘Parc fermé’ are certain periods of time when the teams are not allowed to work on the cars and are placed under the direct vision of the FIA.

FS Video
We are of course very disappointed to lose our podium finish. Unfortunately, it is one of the pitfalls of the sprint format where we only have one bare hour of running before parc fermé.

Shovlin and the team would like to go away with lots of positive learnings from the weekend, even after no result for the 44. They now move to Mexico, where the Mercedes is known to be strong in its recent history

Without running at a race fuel load in FP1. And combined with a circuit like COTA where the drivers have to put the car during the race, have contributed to the higher-than-expected wear levels.

FIA’s ‘no-tolerance’ policy on technical breaches in Grands Prix 

When in parc fermé, the FIA can scrutinize any car they choose. Scrutineering happens regularly and most often times in Qualifying to find any technical offenses and punish them. But this weekend, after the race, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were the two found and punished after a four-car inspection for breaching technical regulations. 

FIA logo (via Twitter / FIA)

Mercedes blamed their error on the sprint format, whereas Ferrari labeled it a mistake. In recent years, the FIA has been very strict regarding technical breaches. FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, who oversees the process, said they try to do everything to keep the teams under the regulations, and any technical breaches are followed by automatic disqualification. 

Mercedes and Ferrari tried to plead their cases but were rejected by the FIA for no major evidence to support their cause. To some, the disqualifications may seem harsh, as only eight drivers have been punished over the last ten years for similar breaches.

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