Lewis Hamilton Calls for “Better Structure” from FIA After Disqualification in Austin
Lewis Hamilton has expressed his frustration with the FIA and called for a “better structure” after his disqualification from the United States Grand Prix in Austin. Hamilton claims that he has been informed that “a lot of other cars” were also illegal but escaped punishment because they were not checked.
Hamilton, who finished the race in second place, was disqualified when his car failed a post-race check on the skid plank underneath the car. The plank had worn down beyond the permitted 9mm thickness due to the bumpy nature of the Circuit of the Americas. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also disqualified for the same breach.
The FIA checked the plank width on only four cars: Hamilton’s, Leclerc’s, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, and Lando Norris’s McLaren. As 50 percent of these cars were found to be in breach, it raised questions about the legality of the cars that were not examined.
Speaking ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed that he had been told by several sources that other cars were also illegal but had not been tested. He expressed his disappointment and called for a fairer and more even playing field.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari accepted the FIA’s post-race checks and attributed the failures to the bumpy surface and the limited time available to refine the car setup with only one practice session on a sprint race weekend.
Leclerc admitted that his disqualification came as a surprise because there was no wear on the plank when Ferrari checked it before locking in the setup on Friday. However, he acknowledged that rules are rules and stated that they need to find a way to anticipate wear better.
The FIA explained in a piece published on its website how the post-race checks work. It stated that it is impossible to cover every parameter of every car in the short time available before the next race. The checks serve as a deterrent and are practically achievable within the logistical framework of a grand prix weekend.
Drivers such as Verstappen and Williams’ Alex Albon suggested that if one car within a team is found to be illegal, it would make sense to check the sister car. They believe that checking a few more cars would not be a significant issue.
Several drivers also highlighted the impact of the sprint race weekend schedule on the issue. They argued that the limited practice time makes it challenging to refine the car setup. They suggested that more time should be allocated for adjustments if needed.
Verstappen, who has been critical of sprint races, proposed getting rid of the sprint weekend altogether. He believes that these issues arise due to the rushed nature of the weekend and that they would not occur in a regular race weekend.
Hamilton denied that the low ride height was the reason for Mercedes’ strong performance in Austin. He stated that changing the rear springs could have improved their ride but maintained that their performance will continue in the upcoming race.
In conclusion, Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification in Austin has raised concerns about the fairness and structure of Formula One. Hamilton’s call for a “better structure” from the FIA reflects the need for more comprehensive checks and a level playing field for all teams. The impact of the sprint race weekend schedule on car setups has also been highlighted, with drivers suggesting more time for adjustments. It remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed in future races.