Once again, excessive plank wear has caused a stir in the F1 world, leading to another disqualification at the Bahrain GP.
- Nico Hulkenberg from Sauber was the latest driver to face the consequences of plank wear issues during the fourth Grand Prix of 2025.
- The FIA discovered that Hulkenberg’s skid plank was below the legal thickness, leading to his disqualification.
- This incident mirrors an earlier situation in China where Lewis Hamilton also faced disqualification due to similar issues.
- Hulkenberg’s disqualification did not affect his championship total as he finished 14th with no points earned.
In a familiar turn of events, the Bahrain Grand Prix was marked by controversy as excessive plank wear resulted in another driver disqualification. Nico Hulkenberg, driving for Sauber, became the latest victim after FIA stewards found his car’s skid plank below the mandated thickness post-race. The rearmost skid plank was measured at 8.4 mm on both sides and 8.5 mm in the centre, violating the 9 mm minimum thickness rule set by F1’s technical regulations, specifically Article 3.5.9 e.
Hulkenberg’s case adds to the list of disqualifications over plank wear this season, echoing a similar incident at the Chinese Grand Prix. During that race, Lewis Hamilton faced disqualification when his car’s plank showed excessive wear as well. The plank on Hamilton’s car measured 8.6 mm on the left, 8.5 mm in the center, and 8.5 mm on the right. These measurements were slightly better than Hulkenberg’s, leaving disqualification as the only option recognized by the FIA.
The Sauber team admitted their mistake, confirming the measurements were accurate during the hearing. They acknowledged it was an error on their part, with the FIA document stating, “During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that it was a genuine error by the team.”
Despite the disqualification, Hulkenberg’s performance in the Bahrain GP did not impact his standing significantly. He finished the race in 14th position, earning no points for the championship, making the ruling largely procedural rather than consequential in terms of his season’s progress.
Hulkenberg’s disqualification at Bahrain underscores the ongoing challenge of managing plank wear in the 2025 F1 season.
