U.S. Grand Prix Shocker: Lewis Hamilton Disqualified, Max Verstappen Clinches Victory

Hamilton trailed Verstappen narrowly as the race came to an end.

In a stunning turn of events, Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from his second-place finish in the U.S. Grand Prix, despite being just a hair behind Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing car when they crossed the finish line.

The disqualification occurred after it was determined that Hamilton’s car had illegal wear on its underfloor skid blocks, putting him out of the running for a podium spot.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari also got the boot after initially landing in sixth place due to similar issues.

As a result of Hamilton’s misfortune, Lando Norris of McLaren found himself bumped up to second place, while Carlos Sainz from Ferrari took the third-place trophy.

Verstappen’s victory wasn’t a walk in the park; he strategically navigated through the field of racers, eventually securing his 50th career win.

Hamilton was hot on Norris’s heels in the closing laps but ultimately fell short of catching Verstappen for the top spot.

The Hamilton Saga

Hamilton’s disqualification threw a wrench into any clear-cut analysis of the race. Before the shocking technical revelation, Hamilton and his Mercedes team were left second-guessing their strategy, lamenting what could have been a win.

The underfloor skid blocks are designed to prevent teams from running cars too low to the ground, giving them an unfair aerodynamic edge.

Red Bull’s usual speed advantage seemed to be missing, as both Norris and Hamilton made Verstappen earn his trophy.

But Mercedes’ unintended rule-breaking muddied the waters in a race where they appeared to have gained ground with a car update.

Initially, Mercedes gambled on a one-stop strategy while Verstappen and Norris opted for two. That bet went sour for Mercedes, costing Hamilton more time than he would ultimately lose by.

Two laps after making this decision, Hamilton’s tires experienced a sudden drop in performance, forcing a change of plan. This put Hamilton on the catch-up, needing to overtake both McLaren and Red Bull to have a shot at victory.

Hamilton did manage to pass Norris with only six laps remaining but couldn’t close the gap on Verstappen.

Why Did Mercedes Drop the Ball?

Hamilton executed a remarkable pass on Norris with seven laps left. Despite this, he couldn’t overcome Verstappen, who maintained a five-second lead through the final laps while grappling with brake issues.

Leclerc’s One-Stop Flop

Leclerc lost his fourth-place spot to teammate Sainz during the concluding laps due to a failed one-stop strategy. Despite questioning the move over team radio, he ultimately conceded the position. This decision proved wise as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez easily overtook Leclerc in the final stages.

Verstappen’s Triumph

Verstappen’s win was hard-fought. Starting in sixth, he passed George Russell at the first corner and then set his sights on the leading pack, which initially included Norris, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, and himself.

Norris and Verstappen opted for different tire strategies, but the Dutch driver eventually took the lead on the 28th lap in a well-executed overtaking move.

Both Norris and Hamilton could theoretically have made a one-stop strategy work, but high tire wear forced them to reconsider. Hamilton made a final push, ending up only two seconds behind Verstappen, but it wasn’t enough.

Mercedes had to swallow a bitter pill as Hamilton showed the pace to win, but their miscalculated strategy and subsequent disqualification put those prospects to bed.

Nonetheless, despite the disqualification drama, Mercedes believe they’ve made advancements with their car, although that’s sort of like saying you’ve built a better mousetrap after you’ve already caught your tail in it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about U.S. Grand Prix Disqualification

Why was Lewis Hamilton disqualified from the U.S. Grand Prix?

Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the U.S. Grand Prix because his car was found to have excessive wear on the underfloor skid blocks, which are in place to prevent teams from running their cars too low to the ground, gaining an unfair aerodynamic advantage.

Who benefited from Hamilton’s disqualification?

As a result of Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification, Lando Norris of McLaren was promoted to second place, and Carlos Sainz from Ferrari secured third place.

How did Max Verstappen win the U.S. Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen’s victory in the U.S. Grand Prix was hard-fought. Starting from sixth place, he strategically moved through the field of racers, eventually taking the lead on lap 28 with a well-executed overtaking move on Lando Norris.

What went wrong with Mercedes’ strategy in the race?

Mercedes initially attempted a one-stop strategy for Lewis Hamilton while Verstappen and Norris opted for two stops. This decision backfired when Hamilton’s tires lost performance, forcing Mercedes to abandon their plan. The miscalculation cost Hamilton valuable time and ultimately the race.

How did the one-stop strategy affect Charles Leclerc’s race?

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari lost fourth place to his teammate Carlos Sainz in the closing laps of the race. Ferrari’s choice of a one-stop strategy for Leclerc did not work out, leading to him being overtaken by Sainz and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.

What challenges did Max Verstappen face in the race?

Despite starting sixth, Max Verstappen had to contend with a Red Bull Racing car that didn’t have its usual significant advantage in race pace. He strategically closed in on the leaders and executed crucial overtaking moves to secure his 50th career win.

Did Lewis Hamilton show promising pace in the race despite the disqualification?

Yes, despite his disqualification, Lewis Hamilton showcased promising pace in the race. Mercedes believed that they had made advancements with their car, and Hamilton’s performance hinted at the potential for a victory if not for the strategy misstep and subsequent disqualification.

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