F1 NEWS: Martin Brundle Uncovers new Potential Factor for Hamilton’s D…read more
F1 NEWS: Martin Brundle Uncovers new Potential Factor for Hamilton’s D…read more
F1 pundit Martin Brundle has speculated that Lewis Hamilton’s aggressive push in the latter stages of the Chinese Grand Prix could have contributed to the excessive skid block wear that led to his disqualification.
Hamilton, who finished sixth on track at the Shanghai International Circuit, was later disqualified alongside his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc due to a technical infringement. The SF-25’s underfloor plank was found to have worn beyond the permitted limits, violating FIA regulations.
What Caused Hamilton’s Excessive Skid Block Wear?
Post-race inspections revealed that the plank assembly on Hamilton’s car had worn below the mandatory 9mm thickness specified in Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. The FIA stewards confirmed that Ferrari acknowledged the breach as an error, with no mitigating circumstances involved.
Brundle, however, has put forward an additional theory. He suggests that Hamilton’s late-race surge, following his second pit stop for fresh tires, may have played a role in the excessive wear.
Did Hamilton’s Aggressive Strategy Contribute?
During the race, Ferrari was running fourth and fifth with Verstappen closing in. The team opted to pit Hamilton, putting him on fresh tires for a late charge. He rejoined behind Verstappen and pushed hard in an attempt to catch the Red Bull driver, who later overtook Leclerc for fourth place.
Despite Hamilton’s efforts, he was unable to close the gap, and both Ferraris ultimately finished fifth and sixth before their post-race disqualification.
While Ferrari has accepted responsibility for the error, Brundle’s theory raises questions about whether Hamilton’s aggressive push on new tires exacerbated the skid block wear—potentially turning what may have been a borderline case into a clear rules violation.
