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Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been referred to the United States Grand Prix Formula 1 stewards after failing a post-race plank-wear inspection, putting them at risk of disqualification.
FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer found the "skids" on the underside of Hamilton and Leclerc’s cars were not “in compliance with Article 3.5.9 e) of the 2023 Formula 1 technical regulations”.
The regulation in question states: “The thickness of the plank assembly measured normal to the lower surface must be 10mm +/- 0.2mm and must be uniform when new.
“A minimum thickness of 9mm will be accepted due to wear, and conformity to this provision will be checked at the peripheries of the designated holes.”
Bauer referred the matter to the stewards “for their consideration”.
Hamilton finished second behind race winner Max Verstappen, while polesitter Leclerc ended up sixth after opting for a one-stop strategy.
Austin’s bumpy surface drew the ire of the top three - Verstappen, Hamilton, and Lando Norris - in the post-race press conference and is known to have caused teams problems with ride-height settings.
Should the stewards take action, exclusion from the result would be the most likely penalty - the most famous precedent is Michael Schumacher having his 1994 Belgian GP win stripped away for excessive plank wear.
A double exclusion would promote Norris to second and Carlos Sainz onto the podium.
Further down the order, it would give Logan Sargeant his first point in F1.
