Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification shows ‘we must make some changes’ to the Sprint format, insists F1 legend Martin Brundle as Mercedes and Ferrari suffer for ‘strategy indecision’

• Hamilton finished in second behind Max Verstappen at Circuit of the Americas 
• Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also disqualified from the race for the same offence
• Why was Hamilton disqualified? Click HERE for more on the controversy

Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic disqualification from the United States Grand Prix proves that the Sprint format needs to be changed, says F1 legend Martin Brundle. 

The British racer, who has won a joint-record seven World Drivers’ Championship titles, finished in second behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on Sunday. 

However, just fours after the end of the race – he was told his car failed a physical floor and plank wear inspection by officials. 

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also found guilty of the same offence and was disqualified from his sixth-place finish. 

Now, former racing driver turned broadcaster Brundle has claimed the Sprint format ‘must be changed’ after Mercedes and Ferrari suffered from ‘strategy indecision’.

Lewis Hamilton was disqualified after his car failed a post-race inspection by officials

Verstappen claimed the 50th victory of his career in Austin after yet another win this season

The 64-year-old said: ‘There’s no doubt that the Sprint format events put the teams under a lot of pressure and overall, we don’t get particularly positive feedback from them. 

‘With just one practice session before the specification and set-up is locked in by Parc Fermé rules, especially at a relatively unknown circuit like Losail in Qatar, or a bumpy circuit such as COTA in Austin, this leaves them underprepared, which is far from ideal with such complex cars.

‘And that’s assuming the first practice session has representative weather and they don’t have any reliability issues or accidents.’

Brundle added that while he doesn’t like to see too much change with the format, there ‘must’ be some changes ahead of next season. 

‘It’s too much of a lottery which has far reaching consequences, as we would find out several hours after the Sunday GP.

‘Mercedes seemed reluctant to accept that and tried to eke out a longer first stint.

‘Ferrari didn’t change their minds for Charles Leclerc, and he went from pole position to sixth and that eventual disqualification. It was a dismal race day for him.’

Former F1 racing driver Martin Brundle is pictured walking on the grid in Austin, Texas

Among the suggested changes, Brundle proposed brighter painted lines on the track and a ‘touch more leeway’, which would help reduce the issue. 

Claiming his 15th race win in 18 attempts, Verstappen clinched the 50th victory of his F1 career in Austin, Texas, this weekend, edging out Lando Norris as well as Hamilton.

However, several fans – many of whom supporters of the Dutchman’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez – booed Verstappen as he headed to the podium to collect his trophy, which left his Brazilian model girlfriend Kelly Piquet unimpressed.

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