Hamilton at risk of exclusion over DRS infringement in F1 qualifying

Lewis Hamilton is under threat of being excluded from Friday qualifying at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix over an alleged DRS infringement on his Mercedes Formula 1 car. 
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W12.
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W12.
© xpbimages.com

The seven-t꧑ime w🤡orld champion was comfortably fastest in qualifying at Interlagos to claim pole position for Saturday’s sprint race, having posted a lap over four-tenths clear of title rival Max Verstappen. 

As a result, Hamilton is due to share the front row o🐻f the grid along with Verstappen for the 24-lap sprint race in Brazil. 

But Hamilton’s🧜 car has been referred to the stewards by FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer after it was fou꧑nd to have failed a technical inspection following the session. 

The issue relates to the operation of ♓his Drag Reduction System. 

“The uppermost rear wing elꦏement adjustable positions were checked on car number 44 for complian♐ce with Article 3.6.3 of the 2021 Formula 1 Technical Regulations,” Bauer noted. 

“The requirement for the minimum distance was fulfilled. But the requirement for the maximum of ꦉ85mm, when the D൲RS system is deployed and tested in accordance with TD/011-19, were not fulfilled.”

Mercedes have been called to meet with the FIA💛 stewards at 7.15pm local time (10.15pm GMT) regarding the matter. 

A breach of the technica꧃l regulations could lead to Hamilton being excluded from the results of qualifying and sent to 💜the back of the grid, or forced into a pit lane start. 

Hamilton has already been hit with a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s grand prix after 🌜Mercedes changed the engine on his car. 

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