AUSTIN — Issues have gone from unhealthy to worse for Mercedes right here on the Components 1 United States Grand Prix.
On Saturday Lewis Hamilton was surprisingly eradicated in Q1, as a entrance suspension difficulty on his W15 that occurred throughout the F1 Dash Race earlier within the day created issues that one of many world’s legendary drivers merely couldn’t overcome throughout the session. Whereas George Russell superior to Q3, a tough shunt close to the top of the qualifying phase left Mercedes scrambling Saturday night to get his upgraded W15 race-ready.
Sadly, Mercedes was not capable of win that battle.
The repairs to his W15 required an extended time period than allowed for underneath Article 40.6 of the Sporting Laws, and F1 Technical Director Jo Bauer famous that discovering, referring the matter to race officers. “The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Components One Crew didn’t cowl automotive quantity 63, driver George Russell, two (2) hours after the top of the qualifying session, however continued to work on the automotive. As this isn’t in compliance with Article 40.6 of the 2024 Components One Sporting Laws, I’m
referring this matter to the Stewards of the assembly for his or her consideration,” learn Bauer’s report.
Article 40.6 of the F1 Sporting Laws reads as follows:
“Inside two (2) hours of the top of each the qualifying session and the dash session (the place it’s scheduled) all automobiles used throughout every session (or which have been meant to be used however failed to depart the pit lane) should be coated and prepared for FIA seals to be utilized to be able to be certain that they continue to be safe till the next day. For advertising functions this deadline could also be prolonged for one automotive from every Competitor for a most of two (2) hours by prior association with the Technical Delegate. While automobiles are coated in a single day, they might be fitted with units to maintain them heat.”
The staff confirmed on Sunday morning that Russell will begin from pit lane.
Meaning when the lights exit right here on the Circuit of the Americas later immediately, Hamilton will behind the sphere, and Russell will roll out from pit lane.
Russell posted a brief thread on social media, vowing to do “justice” for the exhausting work the staff put in to get his automotive prepared for the race:
Yesterday was a really disappointing day. The staff has labored so exhausting bringing upgrades to the automotive, which confirmed nice potential on Friday. Yesterday, we didn’t appear to have that tempo and I used to be pushing past the restrict, finally paying the value with the crash. pic.twitter.com/vuBIYaCrx0
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) October 20, 2024
Nonetheless, this might make for a really lengthy afternoon for the Silver Arrows.
