Why did F1 disqualify Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at US GP?
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ran illegal cars during the United States Grand Prix.
Follow Us
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (Credits: Sky sports)
The 2023 United States Grand Prix will go down in the history books for all the wrong reasons. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified at the end of the 56-lap race, and it has been made known that both were in technical breach of the FIA rules and regulations during the Austin event.
The race at the iconic Circuit of the Americas came to an end just a few hours ago, and while Hamilton celebrated his second-place finish on the podium, his and Charles Leclerc’s happiness at the end of the race was short-lived as the FIA stepped in and decided to disqualify both drivers for racing with illegal cars.
It has come to light that Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified from the United States Grand Prix for a failed physical plank wear inspection. During the FIA’s regular check at the end of an F1 event, it was found that the drivers mentioned above were not able to comply with the FIA rules around plank wear at the end of the race.
The FIA’s ruling has led to huge disappointment within the Ferrari and Mercedes camps, and sports fans have also found it extremely hard to wrap their head around the whole thing. Hamilton and Leclerc ran a beautiful race however, it just wasn’t to be for both drivers despite their prolific showing in Austin.
Lewis Hamilton’s Austin ruling is a major setback in his pursuit of P2 in the 2023 driver’s standings
While the FIA has dealt both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton a body blow in Austin, the result has a hugely detrimental effect on the latter’s chances of securing second place in the 2023 drivers’ standings. Hamilton has lost 18 points because of the FIA’s ruling around his car in Austin.
Had the FIA not disqualified Hamilton, he would have seen the gap to Sergio Perez close significantly in the standings. However, after the FIA ruling, Perez has taken his 2023 tally to 240 points, whereas Hamilton is still stuck on 201. Considering the huge gap, it will be extremely tough for the Brit to reduce it in the remaining races.
? "Others got it right where we got it wrong and there's no wiggle room in the rules. We need to take it on the chin, do the learning, and come back stronger next weekend."
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 23, 2023
Toto, Lewis, George and Shov talk through our Texas Sunday. ?
After the US GP, only four races are remaining on this year’s F1 calendar. Lewis Hamilton has all the skills in his arsenal to still make a decent contest of the second-place fight. Still, despite this, he would need luck riding on his side to finish the ongoing Red Bull-dominated campaign behind Max Verstappen.
In case you missed it:
- Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disqualified from the US Grand Prix
- World’s richest man Elon Musk of $253.2 Billion net worth visits the Mercedes garage with his son at the United States GP
Stay Updated!
Rishabh Negi
(3244 Articles Published)