Hamilton and Leclerc Disqualified from US GP for Excessive Floor Plank Wear
In a shocking turn of events at the US Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the race for running with excessively worn floor planks. Despite finishing just 2.2 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen, both drivers failed to comply with the FIA Technical Regulations regarding the wear of the plank assembly.
The FIA Technical Regulations clearly state that the plank assembly, when measured at designated holes, can only wear down by 1mm to a maximum of 9mm across a weekend. However, an inspection found that Hamilton and Leclerc’s rear skids had exceeded this limit, rendering them illegal according to the regulations.
This controversial decision has sparked a heated debate within the Formula 1 community. While some argue that the disqualifications were justified as the rules must be enforced consistently, others question whether the excessive wear of the floor planks had any significant impact on the outcome of the race.
For Hamilton, this disqualification comes as a major blow to his championship hopes. Already trailing Verstappen in the standings, he now faces an even tougher challenge to regain lost ground. On the other hand, Leclerc’s disqualification adds to Ferrari’s woes, who have been struggling to match the performance of their rivals in recent races.
Their exclusion from the US Grand Prix highlights the importance of adhering to technical regulations in Formula 1. With teams constantly pushing the boundaries of performance, it is crucial for the FIA to enforce these rules to maintain fairness in the competition.
As fans eagerly await the next race, the controversy surrounding Hamilton and Leclerc’s disqualifications continues to dominate discussions. The FIA’s decision has undoubtedly opened a can of worms, sparking debates on the consistency of enforcement and the potential impact of excessive wear on race results.