Why Lewis was disqualified in Austin | Alpine's superstar consortium | Could Mercedes have won US GP?

Matt Baker is joined by Rachel Brooks, Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan and former Formula 1 performance engineer Blake Hinsey, to break down the United States Grand Prix.

Blake explains what the plank actually is on a formula one car and why Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified in Austin.

Jack describes how having a superstar consortium (including Anthony Joshua, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Mahomes, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Travis Kelce) can give a big boost to the Alpine drivers.

Other topics include McLaren's recent improvements, the success of the sprint race weekends and could Mercedes have actually won the race (ignoring being disqualified for failed plank inspections)?

**Key Points:**

* Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the United States Grand Prix for excessive wear on the underfloor skid blocks in the car's plank, which is a plastic with wood fiber that sits on the ground if you lose wheels.

* The skid blocks have titanium skid blocks that make magnificent bright sparks, especially in night races.

* According to the rules, if the skid blocks are more than one millimeter thick after the race, the car will be referred to the stewards for a breach.

* The plank and skid blocks are checked after the race to ensure they are within the legal limits.

* This weekend, four cars were checked, and two of them, Hamilton's and Leclerc's, were found to be in breach of the rules.

* The drivers were unaware of the issue during the race, and it was only discovered after the race when the cars were inspected.

* Mercedes could have won the race if they had made better strategic decisions, such as staying out longer during the first stint and making a quicker pit stop.

* The sprint race format may have contributed to Mercedes' strong performance, as they had less data to work with and were forced to take more risks.

* Ferrari's performance was inconsistent, and they struggled to understand why they were so quick in qualifying but not in the race.

* Max Verstappen had brake issues during the race, which affected his lap times and allowed Lewis Hamilton to close the gap.

* Verstappen's race engineer, Gian Piero Lambiasi, has a close working relationship with the driver, and they are both focused on achieving maximum performance.

* Jack Doohan, who will be driving in FP1 in Mexico, has been working on controlling his emotions and maintaining a calm demeanor during races.

* Doohan will have to quickly build a rapport with his race engineer in Mexico, as he will be working with someone he doesn't know very well.

**Overall Message:**

The United States Grand Prix was a dramatic race with several talking points, including the disqualification of Hamilton and Leclerc, Mercedes' strong performance, Ferrari's inconsistency, and Verstappen's brake issues. The race also highlighted the importance of driver-engineer relationships and the challenges of adapting to new engineers.

# United States Grand Prix Post-Race Discussion

## Overview

- Matt Baker hosts a post-race discussion of the United States Grand Prix with Rachel Brooks, Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan, and former Formula 1 performance engineer Blake Hinsey.


## Key Discussion Points


**Plank Disqualifications:**

Blake Hinsey provides a detailed explanation of the plank, a crucial component located underneath a Formula One car. He clarifies the reasons behind the disqualifications of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in Austin, highlighting the significance of adhering to the plank's prescribed dimensions.

**Alpine's Superstar Consortium:**

Jack Doohan enthusiastically discusses the positive influence of Alpine's esteemed consortium, comprising renowned athletes and celebrities such as Anthony Joshua, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Mahomes, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Travis Kelce. He emphasizes how their involvement can boost the morale and motivation of the Alpine drivers, potentially leading to improved performance.

**McLaren's Resurgence:**

The podcast delves into McLaren's recent upswing in form, attributing it to a combination of factors. These include the team's strategic improvements, driver Lando Norris's exceptional performances, and the car's enhanced competitiveness. The experts discuss how these elements have contributed to McLaren's impressive results in the latter half of the season.

**Sprint Race Success:**

The panel engages in a lively debate on the success of the sprint race weekends, introduced as an innovative format in Formula One. They weigh the pros and cons of this format, considering its impact on strategy, driver performance, and overall excitement for fans. The discussion highlights the unique challenges and opportunities presented by sprint races, acknowledging their potential to revolutionize the sport.

**Mercedes' Potential Victory:**

The experts engage in a hypothetical scenario, pondering whether Mercedes could have secured victory in the United States Grand Prix, disregarding their disqualification for failing the plank inspections. They analyze the team's performance throughout the weekend, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their strategy, car setup, and driver execution. The discussion provides valuable insights into Mercedes' capabilities and their prospects for future races.

**Conclusion:**

The podcast concludes with a wrap-up of the key takeaways from the United States Grand Prix. The panel emphasizes the significance of the plank in Formula One, the positive impact of Alpine's superstar consortium, McLaren's resurgence, the ongoing debate surrounding sprint race weekends, and the hypothetical possibility of Mercedes' victory. They leave the audience with a sense of anticipation for the upcoming races and the ever-evolving dynamics of the Formula One championship.