F1: Lewis Hamilton disqualified from Brazil GP qualifying after DRS infringement

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula One champion, was disqualified from Friday’s Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying session for a technical infringement in the Mercedes car. The decision comes as a massive blow to the British driver’s title defence.

The stewards’ decision forces Hamilton to start Saturday’s sprint race at Interlagos in the last position. The Briton beat Max Verstappen by more than 0.4 seconds in qualifying for the sprint race and took the pole position, however, the regulators said that his No. 44 Mercedes was under investigation for Drag Reduction System wing was exceeding the maximum distance when opened.

The sprint race will determine the grid for Sunday’s main race in which Hamilton will already be serving a five-place grid penalty for changing the car’s engine in Sao Paulo.  The technical infringement typically leads to exclusion from a session. The decision was only announced after Saturday’s practice session, and before the sprint race.

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Hamilton and Mercedes can appeal the decision, although it is unlikely that they will. 

“It was clear to the stewards that the additional deflection was due to additional play either in the DRS actuator or the pivots at the end, or some combination or other fault with the mechanism, or incorrect assembly of the parts,” the decision read, according to Associated Press inputs. “There is therefore no question in the minds of the stewards that the test failure indicates any intent to exceed the maximum dimension either by action or design.”

Also Read | Lewis Hamilton tops Brazil qualifying, to start sprint race from the pole

Ahead of the sprint race, Hamilton’s rival, Verstappen, was also fined 50,000 euros after the Dutch driver was seen touching the rear wing of the Mercedes car.

Currently, Verstappen leads Hamilton by 19 points in the standings with four races left this season. However, the penalty has dampened Hamilton’s hopes of regaining parity anytime soon.

With inputs from the Associated Press