Nico Hulkenberg’s Possible Disqualification: A Repeat of Lewis Hamilton’s Fate at the Chinese Grand Prix?

The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix is shrouded in controversy as German driver, Nico Hulkenberg, faces potential disqualification due to a rear skid thickness issue. This problem, which previously led to Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix, has resurfaced.

Technical Report Reveals Skid Thickness Below Minimum Requirement

According to a technical report issued immediately after the race, measurements along the stiffness compliant area at three different points of the periphery (inner arc) revealed a thickness of 8.4 mm on the left side (LHS), 8.5 mm at the car centerline, and 8.4 mm on the right side (RHS). These readings fall below the 9 mm minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e. Consequently, this matter has been referred to the stewards, and Hulkenberg’s disqualification seems imminent.

This development follows a challenging qualifying session for Hulkenberg, who had a lap deleted due to exceeding track limits. Despite a late decision by the FIA that allowed him to progress to Q2, where he qualified 13th, he was eventually demoted to 16th. The resulting document from the FIA read: “The lap time of 1:31.998 of Car 27 recorded in Q1 is deleted. All lap times of Car 27 in Q2 are deleted. Car 27 will therefore be classified in position 16 in Qualifying.

If disqualified, Hulkenberg’s 13th place finish in today’s race would promote Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar. A subsequent document adds: “The driver and team representative are required to report to the Stewards at 21:45.