Ferrari Faces Disqualification After Chinese Grand Prix Disasters

In a devastating turn for Ferrari during the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix held on March 23, 2025, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton found themselves disqualified after finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. This unexpected outcome stemmed from technical infringements that have left the team and its supporters reeling from the blow to their championship aspirations.

Ferrari's double disqualification occurred after post-race scrutineering revealed both cars failed to conform to FIA regulations. Leclerc’s car, referred to as Car 16, was found to be one kilogram underweight, while Hamilton’s Car 44 exhibited excessive wear on its rear skid block, measuring 0.5 millimeters below the legal limit. According to the FIA report, “The plank assembly of Car 44 was measured and found to be 8.6 mm on the left side, 8.6 mm on the centerline, and 8.5 mm on the right side, below the minimum thickness of 9 mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.”

This disqualification not only stripped Ferrari of the 18 points they earned from the race but also dropped them from fourth to fifth place in the constructors’ championship, now trailing behind Williams with a significant 61-point gap to pacesetters McLaren.

Ferrari responded publicly to the disqualifications, explaining, “Following the FIA post-race scrutineering, both our cars were found not to conform to the regulations for different reasons. Car 16 was found to be underweight by 1 kg, and Car 44’s rearward skid wear was found to be 0.5 mm below the limit.” They attributed Leclerc’s underweight condition to a one-stop race strategy that led to excessive tire wear. “Charles was on a one-stop strategy today, and this meant his tire wear was very high, causing the car to be underweight,” the team stated.

Hamilton’s disqualification was particularly damaging, considering that he had already taken pole position and fought hard throughout the race. Reports cited that during the race, Hamilton expressed to his team, “I think I’m going to let Charles go, because I’m struggling.” Despite the earlier struggles, the strategy to swap positions with Leclerc did help maintain competitive performance during the race.

Racing strategies played a critical role in what became a chaotic afternoon in Shanghai. Hamilton reported difficulties early on, stating, “I’m struggling,” which prompted Ferrari to initially call for a position swap between him and Leclerc. However, delays in broadcasted communications led to a perception of heightened tension that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur later criticized. He stated, “This is a joke from FOM, because the first call came from Lewis - that Lewis asked us to swap.”

In a twist, Alpine's Pierre Gasly also joined the ranks of disqualified drivers due to the same technical infringement that caused Leclerc’s disqualification, further compounding the day’s frustrations for the teams involved.

The fallout from this race significantly impacted Ferrari's position in a season where they were striving to reclaim their place at the top of Formula 1. The team's failure to secure any points means they have some hard work ahead if they hope to challenge competitors effectively for the championship moving forward.

The disappointment felt by the team was palpable, with Ferrari’s statements noting, “We will learn from what happened today and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again.” This self-reflective acknowledgment signifies their commitment to improving on the track, but doubts linger among fans regarding if this is enough to regain the team’s former glory.

As for Hamilton and Leclerc, they will undoubtedly use this experience as a learning opportunity while seeking redemption in the upcoming Grands Prix. The disappointment of returning home empty-handed serves as a powerful reminder of the high stakes and pressures of competitive racing.

Moving forward in the season, both drivers and the Ferrari team will be looking to regroup and recalibrate their strategies to ensure they do not miss out on any more crucial points in future races. If lessons are learned, and strategies properly implemented, fans may yet see them contending again where it counts on the racing circuit.