Plank Wear Strikes Again: Nico Hulkenberg Disqualified from… Read more
For the second consecutive race weekend in the 2025 Formula 1 season, a driver has been disqualified due to excessive skid plank wear, raising ongoing concerns about compliance with technical regulations. This time, it’s Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber who has fallen foul of the rules at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Hulkenberg, who finished 14th in the race, was investigated post-race by FIA officials. During the inspection, the technical delegate discovered that the wear on the skid plank at the rear of the Sauber car was beyond the allowed limit. The thickness measurements came in at 8.4 mm on the left-hand side, 8.5 mm in the center, and again 8.4 mm on the right-hand side. According to Article 3.5.9 e of the Technical Regulations, the plank must be at least 9 mm thick at all measured points, a rule designed to control ride height and ensure fair competition.
As a result of the breach, Hulkenberg was disqualified from the final classification of the Bahrain GP. The decision was confirmed after the team representative admitted the measurements were accurate and that the required pre-race procedures had been followed. The team also conceded that the excessive wear was due to a genuine oversight on their part rather than any deliberate attempt to gain a performance advantage.
While the disqualification does not affect Hulkenberg’s points tally—he didn’t finish in the points-paying positions—it further highlights an emerging issue in the 2025 season. This is now the second time in just two weeks that a driver has been penalized for plank wear, with Lewis Hamilton being the previous case at the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton’s car, bearing number 44, was also found to have worn its plank beyond acceptable limits, though his measurements were slightly less severe than Hulkenberg’s.
The recurrence of these issues has sparked debate within the paddock, as teams struggle to balance performance and compliance with the strict regulations on ride height and car setup. The FIA has been firm in its enforcement, showing that even minor infractions will not go unchecked.
Hulkenberg’s disqualification adds to what has already been a tough start to the season for the Sauber team. With performance issues and now regulatory setbacks, the Swiss-based
