Nico Hulkenberg disqualified with Sauber: plank too worn | F1 Bahrain GP. Nico Hulkenberg was disqualified from the 2025 Bahrain GP after post-race checks .

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported to the Bahrain GP stewards that the German driver’s C45 was irregular because the plank was found to be excessively worn at the rear, not respecting the minimum thickness. Disqualification will be inevitable, as happened to the two Ferrari cars and Gasly’s Alpine.

Fred Vasseur was prophetic: the Ferrari team principal, speaking in China, had commented on the disqualifications of the SF-25s of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, saying they wouldn’t be the only ones, along with Pierre Gasly’s in Shanghai, because this F1 runs at the limit of the regulations.

This time, it’s Sauber that pays the price: Nico Hulkenberg, who finished thirteenth at the chequered flag with the C45, was disqualified from the Bahrain race because the plank under the car was more worn than allowed by the regulations.

Jo Bauer, head of scrutineering, had informed the panel of stewards that the floor plank was not compliant with the rules, failing to meet the requirements of TD039 L, point 1.2 b) i).

Measurements revealed excessive wear at the rear of the plank: in three different areas, anomalies were recorded—8.4 mm on the left side, 8.5 mm in the centre, and 8.4 mm on the right side. Since this thickness is below the minimum of 9 mm required by Article 3.5.9 e) of the technical regulations, disqualification of the German driver by the stewards was inevitable.

Some may question why a penalty was issued against a driver who finished outside the points. The answer is simple: a finishing position determines a classification that is not only about world championship points but also prize money…