Lewis Hamilton, along with Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, was disqualified after the Chinese Grand Prix due to technical infringements. Each driver faced penalties for violations of the FIA’s strict regulations, but their issues differed in nature.
Leclerc and Gasly’s Disqualifications
Leclerc, who finished the race in P5, and Gasly, in P11, both faced disqualification due to breaches of Article 4.1 of the Technical Regulations, concerning the minimum weight of the car. After the race, it was discovered that Leclerc’s car was exactly 800kg when weighed in the pits, but after draining fuel, it dropped to 799kg—just below the minimum weight requirement. Gasly’s situation was similar, as his car initially weighed 800kg, but after fuel draining, it dropped to 799kg as well. Both teams acknowledged these breaches, and the disqualifications were confirmed by the stewards.
Lewis Hamilton’s Disqualification
Hamilton’s disqualification came after a separate technical issue was discovered with his car’s skid block. Following a check for wear, it was found that the plank assembly under his car was below the required thickness. Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations stipulates a minimum thickness of 10mm for the skid block, but Hamilton’s car measured just 8.5mm in some areas, resulting in a breach of the regulations.
Reasons for Disqualification
- Leclerc’s Disqualification:
- Violation: Leclerc’s car dropped below the minimum weight requirement of 800kg after fuel was drained.
- Specifics: Initially, the car weighed 800kg when checked post-race. However, after two litres of fuel were drained, the car’s weight dropped to 799kg.
- Gasly’s Disqualification:
- Violation: Gasly’s car also weighed 800kg post-race, but after fuel draining, it dropped to 799kg.
- Specifics: The weight reduction came after 1.1 kg of fuel was removed in accordance with Alpine’s submitted draining procedure.
- Hamilton’s Disqualification:
- Violation: Hamilton’s car had an issue with the skid block, specifically regarding its thickness.
- Specifics: The thickness of the plank assembly under the car was measured at 8.5mm, below the minimum required thickness of 9mm due to wear (as stipulated in Article 3.5.9).
The Rules Behind the Disqualifications
Both Leclerc and Gasly’s infractions stemmed from the minimum weight rule outlined in Article 4.1 of the Technical Regulations, which states that a Formula 1 car must weigh no less than 800kg when fully equipped and after fuel is drained. In Hamilton’s case, his disqualification was due to the violation of Article 3.5.9, which specifies the thickness of the car’s skid block. The technical directive demands that the thickness remains at 10mm, with a tolerance of just 9mm due to wear.
Team Reactions
Both Ferrari and Alpine responded to the disqualifications with acceptance. Alpine released a statement acknowledging Gasly’s disqualification and focusing on moving forward to the next race in Japan. Ferrari, on the other hand, emphasised that there was no intent to gain an advantage from either Leclerc or Hamilton’s violations.
They explained that Leclerc’s underweight issue stemmed from excessive tire wear during a one-stop strategy, while Hamilton’s skid block issue was caused by a misjudgement in wear. Ferrari expressed their commitment to learning from these errors to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Teams Face Consequences for Technical Breaches
The disqualifications of Hamilton, Leclerc, and Gasly highlight the high stakes and strict scrutiny in Formula 1. While the drivers themselves were not at fault for their respective issues, the teams’ errors in adhering to the technical regulations ultimately cost them valuable race results. Both Alpine and Ferrari accepted the penalties and pledged to avoid such oversights in the future. For the teams, it’s a lesson in precision and attention to detail, especially given the tight regulations governing Formula 1 cars.
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