P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified for excessive plank wear in the United States Grand Prix.
Disqualification from a Grand Prix in Formula 1 is uncommon but does occur occasionally. The most recent technical disqualification came in 2021 when Sebastian Vettel’s second place in Hungary was nullified due to his car failing to provide the required fuel sample. Prior to that, Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo were disqualified from the 2019 Japanese GP for using prohibited driver aids. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified for breaches of technical regulations related to the plank, a wooden block placed underneath the car. The wear on their planks exceeded the permitted limit, resulting in inevitable disqualification. Disqualification for excessive plank wear is not new, as Michael Schumacher’s Benetton was removed from the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix for a similar offense. Routine post-race scrutineering uncovered the worn planks of Hamilton and Leclerc. Random selection was used for more detailed checks on the cars, with two out of four failing. The onus is on the competitor to ensure compliance with regulations at all times, and both Hamilton and Leclerc were found to be in violation. Appeals are possible but unlikely as both teams agreed with the FIA’s findings.
Source: RacingNews 365
