The Land of the Disqualified - 2023 United States GP Review

Lewis Hamilton drove a mega race at the Circuit of the Americas. Yes, the 2023 United States Grand Prix certainly gave fans a lot of hope - that Max Verstappen's Red Bull might well be challenged in the near future.

However, several hours post-race (when most fans were asleep!) the FIA deemed that Hamilton's Mercedes was illegal - as it had excessive plank wear than permitted in the regulations. As a result, Hamilton was disqualified and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc joined him on this list.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah discuss the 2023 United States GP. The Sprint weekend did make it tough for the teams to fine tune their setup - in fact, four out of ten teams had setup issues.

Haas & Aston Martin chose to start from the pit lane while Mercedes and Ferrari were too low and faced disqualification.

But why does the FIA conduct post-race checks? How do they choose what cars to check and what do they eventually check? This topic is fairly technical but Soumil-@f1statsguru do well to explain the situation.

Finally, the disqualifications saw a significant change in the final race result and the drivers who ended up scoring points. After 18 races in his debut season, Logan Sargeant finally scored his first race point!

We are probably Lance Stroll's biggest critics, but credit where it's due - from the pit lane to the points is always a super result, especially when there are no mid-race interruptions. 

There's a lot packed into this show, enjoy it! 

(Season 2023, Episode 56)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

**Summary of the 2023 United States Grand Prix Inside Line F1 Podcast Episode 56**

* **Main Talking Points:**
* The disqualification of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc due to excessive plank wear.
* The impact of the sprint weekend format on team setups and strategies.
* The dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.
* The resurgence of McLaren and the emergence of Logan Sargeant.
* The struggles of Ferrari and Mercedes.

* **Key Insights and Perspectives:**
* The FIA's post-race checks are conducted to ensure compliance with technical regulations.
* The choice of cars to check is based on indicators such as excessive plank wear, driver head movement, and circuit characteristics.
* The sprint weekend format presented challenges for teams in fine-tuning their setups, leading to several teams having issues.
* Mercedes' decision to attempt a one-stop strategy was influenced by their belief that they could not challenge Red Bull on pace.
* Red Bull's focus on maintaining clean air and optimal tire wear allowed them to overcome their lack of track position.
* Mercedes' pit stop times have been slower compared to other teams, costing them valuable seconds during the race.
* McLaren's improvement in pit stop times highlights the importance of efficient pit work in Formula One.
* Lewis Hamilton's disqualification overshadowed his impressive pace and renewed motivation.
* The race showcased the psychological aspect of Formula One, with drivers' thoughts and emotions being accessible to the audience.
* Ferrari's struggles with tire wear and strategy contributed to their disappointing result.
* Ferrari's race engineers' communication with drivers appeared shaky and lacked confidence.

* **Controversies and Particularly Insightful Moments:**
* The disqualification of Hamilton and Leclerc sparked debates about the fairness and consistency of the FIA's technical regulations.
* The differing strategies employed by Mercedes and Red Bull provided an interesting contrast in approach to the race.
* Lewis Hamilton's comments during the race, such as "No shit, Max is closing up," offered a unique insight into the mindset of a Formula One driver during a competitive battle.

* **Overall Message and Takeaway:**
* The 2023 United States Grand Prix was a race of surprises, with unexpected results and strategic twists.
* The dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing continued, while Mercedes and Ferrari faced challenges.
* The sprint weekend format added an element of unpredictability and highlighted the importance of adaptability and quick decision-making.
* The disqualification of Hamilton and Leclerc served as a reminder of the strict enforcement of technical regulations in Formula One. **2023 United States Grand Prix Recap and Analysis**

The 2023 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas provided Formula One fans with a glimmer of hope that Max Verstappen's Red Bull dominance could be challenged in the near future, thanks to Lewis Hamilton's impressive performance. However, post-race checks by the FIA resulted in the disqualification of Hamilton's Mercedes and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc due to excessive plank wear, significantly altering the final race results.

**Key Discussion Points:**

1. **Post-Race Checks and Disqualifications:**
- The FIA conducts post-race checks to ensure compliance with regulations.
- The selection of cars for inspection is based on various factors, including team performance, car setup, and potential rule breaches.
- The checks focus on specific components, such as plank wear, which must meet prescribed limits.

2. **Technical Explanation of Plank Wear:**
- The plank is a flat, wooden surface located underneath the car's floor.
- Excessive plank wear can compromise the car's aerodynamic performance and lead to disqualification.
- The FIA strictly enforces plank wear regulations to maintain fair competition.

3. **Impact of Disqualifications on Race Results:**
- The disqualifications of Hamilton and Leclerc resulted in a significant change in the final race standings.
- Logan Sargeant of Williams scored his first Formula One point, marking a milestone for the American driver in his debut season.
- Lance Stroll's impressive performance, starting from the pit lane and finishing in the points, was a highlight of the race.

4. **Aston Martin's Struggles and Setup Issues:**
- Aston Martin faced setup problems, with both cars starting from the pit lane.
- The team's decision to use older parts instead of new upgrades raised questions about their development strategy.
- Fernando Alonso's retirement marked his first DNF of the season, highlighting Aston Martin's challenges.

5. **McLaren's Resurgence and Lando Norris's Performance:**
- McLaren has shown improvement since the Austria upgrade, climbing in the standings and challenging for higher positions.
- Lando Norris surpassed Charles Leclerc in the Drivers' Championship, showcasing his consistent performance.

6. **Logan Sargeant's First Point and Its Significance:**
- Sargeant's point-scoring finish in his home race, despite the unusual circumstances, was a positive result for Williams.
- The team praised Sargeant's progression and racecraft, emphasizing the importance of building momentum and confidence.

**Conclusion:**

The 2023 United States Grand Prix provided excitement, controversy, and a glimpse of potential shifts in the Formula One power dynamics. The post-race disqualifications highlighted the FIA's strict enforcement of regulations, while the performances of Sargeant and Stroll demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the sport. As the season nears its conclusion, the Mexican Grand Prix promises further drama and intense competition.