In what could have been a highlight reel for Mercedes’ tumultuous 2023 season, Lewis Hamilton found himself ousted from the United States Grand Prix due to a technical violation. The seven-time world champion crossed the finish line at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas mere seconds behind the champion du jour, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing.
Ironically, Mercedes had already acknowledged a significant tactical gaffe that could have actually placed them in the winner’s circle. With Red Bull’s typically superior performance notably absent, it was a golden opportunity for Hamilton to swoop in for the win.
However, the disqualification overruled any analysis of Hamilton’s performance, which he claimed had improved due to a new car upgrade. Specifically, both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari were scratched from the records for over-wearing their cars’ underfloor skid blocks, colloquially known as the “plank.”
These skid blocks control a car’s ride-height and exist to keep teams from running their cars too low, a modification that can boost speed. Hamilton’s disqualified Mercedes featured a brand-new floor that, according to him, transformed the car’s balance and ameliorated long-standing issues with rear grip.
Hamilton noted, “This new edge helped me feel more comfortable chucking the car into corners. While we still have to sort out some foundational issues, it was great to feel the improvement.”
Indeed, the new floor configuration seemed to put Mercedes on par with other top contenders, especially in high-speed corners—terrain where they’d previously lagged. But the question now looms: Did violating the skid-block regulations contribute to these newfound gains?
Team insiders conceded that their blunder could have impacted the car’s performance, albeit minimally. Nevertheless, they felt optimistic about the car’s progressive development, despite the disqualification they deemed a circumstantial oversight.
But what exactly led to such an oversight by a team as seasoned as Mercedes? The culprit seems to be a mix of Austin’s notoriously bumpy track and the truncated weekend schedule. A sprint race format locks in setups after a single Friday practice, leaving no room for adjustments.
While Hamilton and his teammate George Russell seemed like they were off-roading, given the track’s uneven surface, Russell escaped scrutiny. Interestingly, the FIA’s random checks also bypassed Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate.
Why is a Lower Ride an Ace Up the Sleeve?
In the F1 world, cars derive a bulk of their speed from the aerodynamic phenomenon known as the ‘ground effect.’ Running a car low can intensify the downforce, but it’s a fine line before the car starts “porpoising”—violently bouncing due to aerodynamic instability. Red Bull’s ace has been their ability to run their car low without triggering this instability. Mercedes might be in the early stages of pulling off the same feat.
What Was Mercedes’ Tactical Facepalm?
Before the technical snafu unfolded, Mercedes had already played a poor hand strategically. With Hamilton tailing Lando Norris of McLaren, and Verstappen a few seconds behind, Mercedes gambled on a one-stop strategy, confident that their tire degradation was minimal.
But it was a misstep. Hamilton’s tires deteriorated quickly, forcing him to pit soon after his competitors. This left him chasing shadows for the rest of the race, unable to make up for the lost time despite Verstappen’s struggles with his brakes.
In hindsight, the team’s lament was palpable. Team principal Toto Wolff said, “It’s a cocktail of emotions. On one hand, we’re pleased with the performance improvements, but there’s regret for a race that slipped through our fingers.”
As the F1 calendar brings us back-to-back races in Mexico and Brazil, Mercedes won’t have to wait long to either vindicate themselves or add another chapter to their anthology of woes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mercedes’ 2023 U.S. Grand Prix Disqualification
What led to Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification at the 2023 U.S. Grand Prix?
Lewis Hamilton was disqualified for a technical violation. Specifically, his car was found to have excessive wear on the underfloor skid blocks, also known as the ‘plank.’ These are essential for controlling the ride-height of the vehicle.
What mistake did Mercedes admit to that could have cost them the race?
Before the disqualification, Mercedes admitted to making a major strategic error. They chose to attempt a one-stop strategy, expecting minimal tire degradation. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s tires wore out more quickly than anticipated, forcing him to pit sooner and putting him at a disadvantage.
Did the new car upgrade on Hamilton’s Mercedes make a difference?
Yes, Hamilton said that the new floor upgrade had transformed the car’s balance and improved its rear grip. He noted that he felt more confident in throwing the car into corners, especially in high-speed sections where the car had previously struggled.
Why is running a car low considered advantageous in F1 racing?
Running a car low enhances the aerodynamic phenomenon known as ‘ground effect,’ which increases downforce. This effectively ‘sucks’ the car towards the ground, enabling higher speeds and better grip. However, running too low can lead to aerodynamic instability known as ‘porpoising.’
What were the specific circumstances that led to the mistake on Mercedes’ part?
The mistake was attributed to a combination of Austin’s bumpy track and the sprint race weekend format. Teams had to lock in their setups after just one Friday practice session, leaving no room for adjustments. The stewards noted that these conditions probably contributed to the excessive wear on the skid pads.
What did Team Principal Toto Wolff have to say about the event?
Toto Wolff expressed “mixed feelings” about the race. He felt pleased about the performance improvements but also lamented the missed opportunity to win due to strategic errors. The disqualification later compounded those feelings.
Will Mercedes have an opportunity for redemption soon?
Yes, with races in Mexico and Brazil scheduled back-to-back following the Austin event, Mercedes will have opportunities to either validate their improvements or face further scrutiny.
More about Mercedes’ 2023 U.S. Grand Prix Disqualification
- Official FIA Statement on Hamilton’s Disqualification
- Mercedes Team’s Reaction to U.S. Grand Prix
- Circuit of the Americas Track Information
- Explanation of F1 Ground Effect and Aerodynamics
- History of Mercedes in F1 Racing
- Red Bull’s 2023 Season Performance
- Lewis Hamilton’s Career Highlights
- Detailed Breakdown of F1 Sprint Race Weekend Format
- Toto Wolff’s Post-Race Interviews
- Upcoming F1 Race Calendar for 2023
10 comments
Man, Mercedes really messed up this time. How do you even get disqualified for a tech violation when you’re a top team like that?
The bumps at Austin ain’t no joke. Remember those on-board cams? Hamilton and Russell looked like they’re riding a mechanical bull or sth.
Toto said it was their “best sector,” but what’s the point if you can’t even finish the race? Smh, they better get it together before Mexico.
One-stop strategy, seriously? Have they not learned anything from previous races? Tyre degradation ain’t a joke, folks.
Mixed feelings for real. Was pumped to see Hamilton do well, but then this… Man, it’s a rollercoaster being a Hamilton fan this year.
Ground effect, aerodynamics, porpoising. Love the technical deep dive in the article! but seriously, Merc needs better race engineers or something.
New floor, better balance, more grip. Then boom! DQ. Kinda feel like Mercedes was testing the waters, but man did they sink.
Hamilton almost had it, ya know? 2 secs behind Verstappen. And that’s with a messed up strategy. Makes u wonder what could’ve been.
not gonna lie, even tho I’m a Red Bull fan, it’s kinda interesting to see Mercedes shoot themselves in the foot. Makes the season spicy!
Celebs and even Prince Harry were there, and then this disqualification happens? Now that’s what I call a royal mess-up. lol