Among the curves of the Circuit of the Americas, the fourth last race of this 2023 season has just concluded, handing victory to the unstoppable Max Verstappen. The podium could have been won by Lewis, but a bad strategy ruined the atmosphere. After Lewis Hamilton, with difficulty, achieved P2, unexpected bad news arrived. Two disqualifications arrived at the end of the race, after a careful analysis of the car of Lewis Hamilton.
How Lewis Hamilton’s bad strategy ruined his race
What stopped Lewis Hamilton from winning the race was not the W14 but Mercedes itself. Trying to make a clean and fast pit stop is the essential key to being able to run a clean race. But if this doesn’t happen, the race is totally ruined. The main problem is that they had opted for the single stop, then they changed their mind and made a second pit stop, totally getting the timing wrong. Another problem that compromised his race was going too long with the first stint. But what did the victory cost him? He remained on the track with excessively worn tires while the others had new tyres. This clearly wasted his time and missed out on first place. Despite this, he still managed everything and was the one who chased Verstappen.
It is not the first time that Mercedes has made strategic errors this year. In fact recently, it also showed errors during pit stops which cost both Lewis Hamilton and also George Russell.
The unexpected disqualification
At the end of each GP the federation decides to examine some cars to verify their regularity. One of the most monitored elements is the plank, the board positioned under the cars which is subject to wear. And it is precisely this that caused Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification. The plank is a resin board placed underneath the cars. This, by regulation, must have a thickness of 10 mm and cannot wear by more than 1 mm during the race. It therefore appears that the car examined exceeded the minimum measurement near the holes. Furthermore, since last year these measurements are even more stringent, as there are only four holes through which the board is fixed.
The Austin circuit presents several irregularities due to a rather bumpy asphalt and is driven at high speed by the cars. The concept of aerodynamics is fundamental. Racing cars generate aerodynamic load due to the difference in pressure present above and below them. This increases as speed increases and with cars traveling at 300 km/h. Consequently, the force that pushes them downwards is considerable. If we add this to a track with uneven asphalt it is very easy for the plank to wear out. This is the main problem that caused Lewis Hamilton’s car to be disqualified.
Sprint Race: a format that creates doubts
The substantial problem of these latest grand prix, with the Sprint format, is that a free practice isn’t enough for teams and drivers. Free practice is essential to better understand the cars and be able to intervene calmly and examine any problems. And precisely because of this, you are unable to estimate the wear of the skate, and you end up disqualified. As we all know, with the Sprint race, you only have one free practice session. Afterward, the car is taken to parc fermé and can no longer be touched. How can the performance of machines be improved if there is no way to see them better? There are many doubts regarding the sphere of these fast races, perhaps too many to be able to think of increasing their presence in the classic race weekends in the coming years.
Lewis Hamilton’s hunger for victory
Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification cost his team a lot as they are fighting for second place in the constructors’ championship with Ferrari. What we know is that Lewis Hamilton was one step away from winning this race in Austin. And this is proof that the updates made to the Mercedes W14 have worked. The changes to the fund appear to have had the desired effects. Thus directing Mercedes towards a future in which Lewis Hamilton can return to the podium. For now Lewis Hamilton smiles, stimulated by the thrill of getting closer to that much desired first place on the podium. Like all other champions, Lewis is demanding of others as well as himself. Because for a great driver like him, the smell of victory is not enough.
