The FIA only measured the planks of four cars after the race, and found that those of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were illegal, leading to the disqualifications of the two drivers.

The cars of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were deemed legal, but despite the 50% failure rate on the bumpy COTA track, the FIA stuck with its usual protocols and opted not to sample any other cars further down the order.

Speaking for the first time since the disqualification, Hamilton made clear how frustrated he was to lose his second place.

“I just came out of the press conference, got back, and I was about to get in the ice tub,” he said. “And then Toto [Wolff] came running down and told me. Obviously [I was] devastated [as] it had been such a great day and great race.

“But yeah, and then I didn'

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