British driver Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) were disqualified more than three hours after the American Grand Prix in Formula 1 because their cars were too low.
According to a statement from race officials released on Sunday, the skid blocks located under the two drivers’ cars did not meet requirements.
Formula 1 cars have a wooden plank, or skid block, that is used to test the height of the cars. If the plate is worn more than a millimeter, the car and driver are disqualified.
Lewis Hamilton had finished the 56 laps of the United States Grand Prix, the 18th race of the year, in second place, 2.225 seconds behind the winner, Max Verstappen, while Charles Leclerc finished sixth.
The disqualification notice stated that Mercedes claimed the problem was due to the rough track conditions, a situation that even the winner, Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull), complained about.
“The stewards emphasize that the responsibility lies with the manufacturer to ensure that the car complies with the regulations,” race officials said.
The Mercedes boss said the team would not appeal.
“Others were right where we were wrong and there is no room for maneuver in the rules. We have to face this, learn and come back stronger next weekend,” said Toto Wolff.
The next round will be in Mexico exactly within a week.
After starting from sixth on the grid, Verstappen achieved his 15th victory this season, equaling the maximum number of victories in the same season that he had already achieved in 2022. It was also the 50th victory in Formula 1 for the Red Bull driver.
Hamilton’s disqualification gave second place to compatriot Lando Norris (McLaren), who had finished third, at 10.730 seconds.
It was still the 750th podium with British drivers in Formula 1 history.
At the end of the championship, with the two titles already awarded to Verstappen (the drivers’ title) and Red Bull (the constructors’ title), the focus was the battle for second place.
In that battle, Hamilton lost ground again against the Mexican Sérgio Pérez (Red Bull), who had finished fifth, but was eventually promoted to fourth place.
With 50 races won, Verstappen, now a virtual three-time world champion, occupies fifth place on the list of most successful drivers ever in the sport.
With this victory, the Red Bull driver also achieved 466 points in the championship, which represents a new maximum in the history of Formula 1.
Source: DN
