In a dramatic turn of events, Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified after securing a runner-up finish at the United States Grand Prix. This was due to a technical infringement involving his W14’s floor and plank. This post-race setback, however, has not overshadowed the significant strides Mercedes demonstrated in Austin, particularly with their latest upgrades.
Major Upgrades, Major Improvement
The weekend saw Mercedes introduce their final major upgrade for the season. Both cars were equipped with new floors. This change was an instant game-changer, with Hamilton acknowledging the positive impact almost immediately. “I felt the new floor’s effect from Friday,” he commented after qualifying just 0.139 seconds behind the pole position.
Despite this advancement, triumph turned into dismay. A standard post-race inspection revealed Hamilton’s plank to be below the mandated 9mm minimum thickness. This led to his disqualification. Although Mercedes attributed the excessive plank wear to the “unique combination of the bumpy track,” the FIA stood by the regulations, stressing that competitors must ensure compliance at all times.
I felt the new floor’s effect from Friday.
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton, reflecting on the situation in Mercedes’ debrief, expressed, “It is, of course, disappointing to be disqualified post-race, but that doesn’t take away from the progress we’ve made this weekend.” Emphasizing the positive takeaways, he added, “We had good pace, and I was feeling great in the car. We can be happy with many things. I feel positive as we’re moving forward, even if reflecting on it, we could have possibly won.”
No Wriggle Room in the Rules
The sentiment was echoed by Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ motorsport head, who admitted to a misjudgment concerning the car’s setup, especially on a challenging circuit like COTA during a Sprint race weekend. “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,” Wolff stated.
Despite the setback, the team chooses to focus on the silver lining. “We can take a lot of positives from the car performance,” Wolff insisted. “The upgrade seems to have made the car happier in those areas and it is working well. Directionally, it’s a very good sign.”
The upgrade seems to have made the car happier […] and it is working well. Directionally, it’s a very good sign.
Toto Wolff
Norris Takes P2, and Championship Fight Still on the Table
The ramifications of this disqualification are not just symbolic but also have practical implications in the championship race. Hamilton’s hopes of overtaking Red Bull’s Sergio Perez for second place in the Drivers’ standings have been significantly dented, with the gap widening to 39 points.
Hamilton’s disqualification means that Norris, who finished in third, has been bumped up to second. This means that McLaren, double their lead over Aston Martin. However, the fight for fourth place in the championship is far from over, with just 6 points between them.
Hamilton Disqualified in US Grand Prix
The official FIA document detailing the decision clarified the breach under Article 3.5.9 e) of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, which led to Hamilton’s disqualification. The document emphasized the team’s responsibility to adhere to the regulations, underscoring that in this instance, the wear tolerance had been unequivocally exceeded.
This incident serves as a potent reminder of the razor-thin margins between success and disappointment in Formula 1, where not just speed, but strict adherence to technical compliance governs the outcome of races. As teams continue to navigate the complexities of this high-stakes environment, the lessons learned here will undoubtedly shape strategies and decisions in races to come.
