The plank underneath Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes was found to have worn too thin during the United States Grand Prix; Hamilton had finished second behind Max Verstappen; Charles Leclerc was also disqualified from sixth for the same offense
Last Updated: 23/10/23 1:23am
Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a second-placed finish in the drivers’ championship have suffered a major blow
Lewis Hamilton lost his second-place finish at the United States Grand Prix after being disqualified when his Mercedes failed a physical floor and plank wear inspection after Sunday’s race.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was found guilty of the same offense, and also disqualified from his sixth-place finish.
Hamilton’s disqualification saw McLaren’s Lando Norris promoted to second behind race-winner Max Verstappen, and the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz onto the podium.
Meanwhile, Williams Logan Sargeant scores the first point of his rookie F1 campaign after being promoted to 10th.
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Highlights from the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
Hamilton had been left frustrated after agonisingly missing out on a first victory in almost two years at the hands of world champion Max Verstappen, but may ultimately be left relieved at not having had a win taken away.
The disqualification is a major blow to Hamilton’s hopes of chasing down Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez for second in the drivers’ standings.
The Mexican was promoted to from fifth to fourth, and instead of only leading Hamilton by 19 points going into the final four rounds of the season, has a 39-point advantage.
Updated United States GP result
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Lando Norris, McLaren
3) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
5) George Russell, Mercedes
6) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
7) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
8) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
9) Alex Albon, Williams
10) Logan Sargeant, Williams
More to follow…