Lewis Hamilton faces a nervous wait to see if his United States Grand Prix podium stands after being referred to the stewards by the FIA Technical Delegate. The Mercedes driver narrowly missed out on a first victory since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing just behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen after a late-race chase on a softer tyre compound. But his work could be taken away after Technical Delegate Jo Bauer referred a transgression to the race stewards. During inspections post-race, both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc's cars were found to have skid blocks not in conformity with the Technical Regulations. A report from Bauer read: "A physical floor and a plank wear inspection was carried out on car numbers 16 and 44. "The skids located in the area -825 ≥ XR ≥ - 1025 are found to be not in compliance with Article 3.5.9 e) of the 2023 Formula One Technical Regulations. "I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration."
Disqualification risk
Hamilton had closed the gap to Sergio Perez down to just 19 points in the race for second in the Drivers' standings after the Mexican finished fifth, with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc sixth. Whilst there are varying ways a plank could wear too much during a race, a car set-up too low for the bumpy COTA surface is the likely explanation. Should the finding of the Technical Delegate be confirmed, the drivers would be disqualified from the race.
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