Shortly after the chequered flag dropped and the celebration on the podium was underway, news shook the paddock. A post-race examination revealed non-compliance with F1’s Technical Regulations regarding the planks on Lewis Hamilton’s and Charles Leclerc’s cars.
Both teams were referred to the race stewards, and the potential violations had the capacity to significantly impact the points earned in the United States Grand Prix. This would subsequently alter the battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship between the two teams and also affect Hamilton’s pursuit of Sergio Pérez for second place in the Drivers’ Championship.
Ultimately, both drivers were disqualified, nullifying Hamilton’s second-place finish and Leclerc’s sixth-place finish. The violation pertained to Article 3.5.9(e) of the Technical Regulations, which specified the dimensions of the “rear skid area” wooden plank:
“The thickness of the plank assembly measured normal to the lower surface must be 10mm ± 0.2mm and must be uniform when new. A minimum thickness of 9mm will be accepted due to wear, and conformity to this provision will be checked at the peripheries of the designated holes.”
Both teams acknowledged that the measurement conducted by the FIA Technical Team was correct. They attributed the wear on the plank assembly to the combination of the bumpy track and the compressed Sprint race schedule, limiting the time available for car setup and checks. However, race officials emphasized that it is the responsibility of the competitors to ensure compliance with the regulations throughout the event.
Consequently, both vehicles were disqualified, impacting Hamilton’s championship standings and halting his progress in closing the gap to Pérez.
While the disqualification is undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow for all parties involved, Hamilton remained positive during the team’s post-race media report. Recognizing that there were areas for improvement, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress and a forward-looking attitude. Nevertheless, falling short of Pérez will undoubtedly sting.
Winner: Yuki Tsunoda
Even before the disqualifications, Yuki Tsunoda emerged as one of the day’s winners. The AlphaTauri driver secured a points finish, crossing the line in tenth place. However, the team’s decision to fit a fresh set of soft tires in the closing stages allowed Tsunoda to set the fastest lap of the race, earning an additional bonus point. Following the disqualifications, Tsunoda climbed to eighth place, securing five points, his best result this season.
Winners: McLaren
McLaren’s battle with Aston Martin for fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship reached a turning point at the United States Grand Prix. Lando Norris’s podium finish, later elevated to second due to Hamilton’s disqualification, coupled with the team’s strong performance in the F1 Sprint race, propelled McLaren ahead of Aston Martin. With a six-point lead, McLaren has established their superiority in the fight for fourth place.
Losers: Aston Martin
Aston Martin endured a challenging weekend in Austin. Despite introducing upgrades to the AMR23, both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso struggled to find their rhythm, resulting in disappointing qualifying performances. The difficulties escalated in the F1 Sprint race, leading to overnight changes. Although Stroll scored points with a seventh-place finish following the disqualifications, Aston Martin slipped to fifth in the Constructors’ Standings, forfeiting their earlier position as contenders for second place.
Winners: Williams
The disqualifications presented an opportunity for two Williams drivers, Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant, to enter the top ten. Albon’s 11th-place finish propelled him to ninth, while Sargeant secured his first-ever Formula 1 championship point with a tenth-place finish. By virtue of these results, Williams extended their lead over Alfa Romeo and Haas in the battle for seventh place in the Constructors’ Standings.
The United States Grand Prix delivered both surprise and disappointment, unveiling winners and losers among the drivers and teams. As the championship progresses, setbacks and triumphs await, and the competition intensifies on the Formula 1 stage.
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