Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been disqualified from the United States Grand Prix after their cars failed post-race checks.

The event was held on October 22, 2023, at Austin, Texas's Circuit of the Americas. After failing plank checks, Hamilton, who finished second, and Leclerc, who started on the pole and finished sixth, were disqualified. According to the report written by the FIA's technical delegate, Jo Bauer, the skids on the bottom of both Hamilton's and Leclerc's cars were "found to be not in compliance with Article 3.5.9 e) of the 2023 Formula One Technical Regulations." It was discovered that both Hamilton's and Leclerc's cars had floor planks that were too thin, falling short of the 9mm minimum required under Article 3.5.9 e). The plank on the bottom of the car is supposed to flatten down during the duration of the race; however, if the thickness of the plank drops below 9mm at any of the four measuring stations, the car will be disqualified. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="686"] Hamilton has been disqualified at the US Grand Prix and now loses 18 points. Credit: Getty Images[/caption] Both drivers were disqualified after the stewards agreed with Bauer's findings. The result confirms Max Verstappen's third-place finish on Sunday as the winning time. In light of the disqualification, Hamilton's pursuit of Red Bull's Sergio Perez for second place in the standings just got a lot more difficult, as neither driver will receive any points for their Sunday efforts.

Implications to Hamilton and Laclerc's disqualification

Hamilton was disqualified after a close race for second place behind eventual winner Max Verstappen. As a result of the disqualification, Hamilton and Leclerc's championship ambitions have been severely diminished. In the standings, Hamilton is now 26 points behind Verstappen, and Leclerc is 43 points back. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Max Verstappen now crowned winner at the US Grand Prix. | Credit: Getty Images[/caption] Mercedes and Ferrari both take a hit because of the disqualification. The gap between Mercedes and Red Bull in the constructors' championship has grown to 53 points, with Ferrari even farther down at 83 points. Williams' double-point finish after the final standings were altered gave them a larger lead over Alfa Romeo for seventh place. [caption id="attachment_13260" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Top 10: United States Grand Prix | Credit: The Independent[/caption]

How did this happen?

It is unclear precisely how Hamilton and Leclerc's car planks became so worn down. They might have suffered damage during the race or simply gotten worn out from the Circuit of the Americas' rough surface. In any case, the disqualification highlights the significance of technical compliance in Formula One. Serious repercussions may result from even the slightest violation of the rules.