Ferrari sporting director Diego Ioverno has provided insight into the disqualification of Charles Leclerc from the US Grand Prix last weekend. Leclerc finished in sixth place before being disqualified, along with Lewis Hamilton who finished in second place, for running illegal floors.
Wind and Illegal Floors
The disqualification occurred after it was discovered that the planks on the floor of their cars failed to meet the minimum thickness allowed by F1 regulations. These planks, which run along the center of the car's floor, are designed to protect the bottom of the car from scraping along the ground and causing sparks. The height of the cars also plays a role in aerodynamic performance and safety standards, which both Hamilton and Leclerc's cars failed to meet.
Reasons for Disqualification
Ioverno took to Ferrari's social media page to explain the reasons behind the disqualification. He cited lack of practice, limited setup time, and the bumpy track as factors contributing to the failure. He stated that the sprint weekend format provided very little time to prepare the car, with only one session before entering parc ferme where only minor adjustments are allowed. The bumpy nature of the track in Austin also added to the challenge.
Wind as a Factor
In a similar fashion to Jurgen Klopp famously blaming weather for a Liverpool defeat, Ioverno also pointed to wind as another reason for the penalty. He noted that the wind changed direction and had a stronger intensity than forecasted, which ultimately led to the car being deemed illegal.
Fan Reactions and F1 Margins
Fans had mixed reactions to the disqualification, with some expressing disbelief and disappointment in Ferrari's oversight. However, it is important to note that small margins, such as weather changes and track temperature, can have a significant impact on performance in Formula One.
Despite the setback, Leclerc and Hamilton shared a joint post on Instagram, captioning it "mood" to convey their disappointment. Former F1 star and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle questioned why the remaining cars were not tested, given that half of the checked cars were found to be illegal.
The next race in the F1 calendar is the Mexican Grand Prix, set to take place next weekend.
