Mercedes won't appeal Hamilton's Brazil F1 qualifying disqualification
Mercedes driver Hamilton was untouchable as he romped to the fastest time in Q3, outpacing F1 title rival Max Verstappen by over four-tenths of a second on his way to topping qualifying in Brazil.
But an issue with the rear wing on Hamilton’s Mercedes car was referred to the stewards by FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer after the “requirement for the maximum of 85mm, when the DRS system is deployed and tested in accordance with TD/011-19, were not fulfilled”.
The investigation, which was adjourned until Saturday morning, found that Hamilton’s car had indeed broken technical regulations and the seven-time world champion has been excluded from the results of qualifying as a result.
With Hamilton thrown out of qualifying, he will have to start sprint qualifying from the back of the grid, marking a monumental blow to his already fading hopes of winning a record-breaking eighth world title this year.
The Briton was chasing a 19-point deficit to Verstappen in the drivers’ standings, with a maximum of 107 points up for grabs over the remaining four races.
Hamilton is already set to face a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s grand prix in Brazil after Mercedes opted to fit a new engine on his car.
The impending grid drop meant the highest position Hamilton could have started the race from would have been sixth, providing he won the sprint on Saturday.
But he will now have to battle his way through the field from the very back.
Hamilton’s exclusion promotes Verstappen into first place for the sprint, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas now joining him on the front row.
Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez will line up from third, ahead of AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly and the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Next will come the McLaren’s of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, while Alpine pairing Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon will complete the top 10.
Mercedes has confirmed it will not appeal the decision. Had Mercedes done so, Hamilton would have started from first place but all results this weekend would have been at risk.
The Team will not be appealing Lewis’ disqualification from Quali.
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) November 13, 2021
We want to win these World Championships on the race track. pic.twitter.com/12rD4EoDYP
