Lewis Hamilton facing shock FIA disqualification at Chinese Grand Prix over…read more
Lewis Hamilton is facing the possibility of disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix after an official FIA report revealed that his car had excessive wear on its skid blocks. The issue arose after Hamilton finished in sixth place at the Shanghai International Circuit, struggling to match the pace of his teammate Charles Leclerc. The FIA inspection showed that the wear on Hamilton’s car’s skid blocks was 8.6mm, falling below the required 9mm minimum. As a result, the matter has been referred to the stewards for further action.
This isn’t the first time Hamilton has encountered this issue, as he was disqualified from the 2023 US Grand Prix for a similar violation. Back then, he was driving for Mercedes, and his disqualification followed a finding of excessive wear on his skid blocks, which is a critical component for ensuring fair competition. The same penalty could be applied again if the stewards determine that Hamilton’s car violated the rules once more.
The issue of excessive wear on skid blocks has been a contentious one in Formula 1, particularly in the ground effect era, where teams aim to set their cars as low to the ground as possible to maximize aerodynamic performance. However, this setup can lead to cars scraping along the track, which is why the FIA has implemented a 9mm minimum wear limit on skid blocks. This regulation is designed to ensure that teams don’t push the limits too far in pursuit of performance.
Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, also found himself in a similar situation in the 2023 US Grand Prix, where he was disqualified for the same violation. The FIA’s consistent zero-tolerance approach to these infringements underscores the importance of maintaining integrity in the sport. The governing body does not allow teams to exploit the rules for an advantage, which could potentially compromise safety and fairness.
Additionally, there are concerns about the weight of cars in the Chinese Grand Prix. Both Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly have been flagged for their cars being underweight, according to a separate official FIA document. This could result in further disqualifications or penalties for the teams involved, including Ferrari, who could lose points from both of their drivers if Leclerc’s infringement is upheld. Although Leclerc finished ahead of Hamilton in the main race, both drivers could face consequences if the investigations into their car setups result in penalties.
It’s important to note that Hamilton’s potential disqualification would not impact his sprint race result, where he secured a victory earlier in the weekend in his Ferrari. However, this situation highlights the ongoing scrutiny of car setups in Formula 1 and the FIA’s commitment to enforcing strict compliance with technical regulations.
