Hamilton disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix due to technical irregularity

Following his sixth-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified after failing post-race technical inspections.

Having set the pace in the Shanghai F1 Sprint and secured his maiden victory with Ferrari in the 100km dash, Hamilton endured a more difficult main qualifying session in which he only grabbed fifth place for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Briton was expected to build on his great tyre management from the sprint race, but he struggled in the 56-lap race, and was forced to perform a second pit stop while his rivals completed the race distance with a single stop. The seven-time F1 champion ended up sixth in his second race with the Maranello-based outfit.

However, Hamilton was facing a possible disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix after his car was deemed to have excessive skid wear, the rearmost skid falling foul of the 9mm minimum mandated by the technical regulations.

The stewards have now confirmed that the British driver has been disqualified from the Shanghai F1 race as the plank assembly of his car was found 4mm below the minimum thickness of 9mm.

"The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton). The plank assembly of Car 44 was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS). This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.

"During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine
error by the team.

"The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement.

"Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.

"Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented."