Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) were disqualified after the US Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the British driver claiming on Thursday that several cars were illegal at the Austin race.

Lewis HamiltonPhoto: Hasan Bratic/AvensImages/LiveMedia/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

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Lewis Hamilton says several cars broke the rules in Austin

The single-seater cars of Hamilton (2nd place) and Leclerc (6th place) did not comply with the regulation: during the measurement after the race, it was found that the floor of the two cars did not meet the dimensions required by the regulation for the ground. Thus, two they were disqualified after the Austin Grand Prix.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton advocated a fairer system of checks. Only 4 of the 15 cars that finished the race were tested for this violation of the rules.

“I heard from various sources that there were many cars that did not pass inspection and that were also illegal. I have been racing here for 16 years and there have been many other scenarios where some have gotten away with it and others have had the misfortune of being tested.

In my opinion, some kind of better structure is needed in terms of ensuring fairness and equality in all directions” – Lewis Hamiltonquoted by Reuters.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) said several cars were randomly selected for inspections at various locations after the race.

Given the short time between races, it is impossible to check every car for the same potential violations. The FIA ​​said the process has been going on for decades.

Max Verstappen (RedBull) blamed the problem on the sprint race in Austin, as teams only had one practice session to make the necessary adjustments.

“If you check one team’s car and it’s illegal, you should check the other team’s car because they’re usually very similar” – Max Verstappen.

Lando Norris (McLaren), who moved up to second after Hamilton’s disqualification, says both cars in the team should be tested.

“It is unlikely that two cars (of the same team) will be so different, so if one car is illegal, it is very likely that the other will also be illegal” – Lando Norris.

What does the drivers’ standings look like after the disqualifications of Hamilton and Leclerc

1 Max Verstappen (RedBull) 466 points / champion

2 Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 240

3 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 201

4 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 183

5 Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 171

6 Lando Norris (McLaren) 159

7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 151

8 George Russell (Mercedes) 143

9 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 83

10 Pierre Gasly (Alpisky) 56.

Rating of builders of the US deputy

1 Red Bull 706 points / champion

2 Mercedes 344s

3 Ferrari 322s

4 McLaren 242

5 Aston Martin 236

6 Alpine 100

7 Williams 26

8 Alfa Romeo 16

9 Haas 12

10 Alpha Tauri 10.

Formula 1 season calendar for 2023

March 5: Bahrain – victory for Max Verstappen

March 19: Saudi Arabia – victory for Sergio Perez

April 2: Australia – victory for Max Verstappen

April 30: Azerbaijan / Baku – Winner Sergio Perez

May 7: Miami – victory for Max Verstappen

May 21: Emilia-Romagna / Imola – CANCELED

May 28: Monaco/Monte Carlo – victory for Max Verstappen

June 4: Spain / Barcelona – winner Max Verstappen

June 18: Canada / Montreal – winner Max Verstappen

July 2: Austria / Spielberg – victory of Max Verstappen

July 9: Great Britain / Silverstone – victory for Max Verstappen

July 23: Hungary / Hungaroring – Winner Max Verstappen

July 30: Belgium / Spa-Francorchamps – victory of Max Verstappen

August 27: Netherlands / Zandvoort – Winner Max Verstappen

September 3: Italy / Monza – winner Max Verstappen

September 17: Singapore / Marina Bay – Victor Carlos Sainz

September 24: Japan / Suzuka – victory of Max Verstappen

October 8: Qatar / Losail – victory of Max Verstappen

October 22: USA/Austin – victory of Max Verstappen

October 29: Mexico / Mexico City

November 5: Brazil / Sao Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi / Yas Marina.