Ferrari has released an explanation following the disqualification of drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton from the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix after technical infringements were identified during post-race checks. Leclerc and Hamilton, who finished fifth and sixth respectively on March 23, were disqualified due to failures in meeting FIA regulations concerning their cars’ weight and components.
In an unexpected twist during the race, the Grand Prix shifted from a forecasted two-stop strategy to a single stop. This change resulted in increased tire wear for Leclerc, whose car was found to be one kilogram under the allowable weight limit after the race concluded. Moreover, Hamilton's car was penalized for excessive wear on the rear skid block, with measurements showing it fell below the stipulated minimum thickness.
Post-race inspections revealed that Hamilton’s skid block was measured at 8.6mm on the left-hand side and the car centerline, and 8.5mm on the right-hand side, all below the mandated thickness of 9mm set out under Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Technical Regulations. This not only led to Hamilton's disqualification but also marked a significant moment in Ferrari's history as it was the first time that both teammates faced disqualification in the same race.
In an official statement, Ferrari admitted to miscalculations that contributed to the disqualifications. “Following the FIA post-race scrutineering, both our cars were found not to conform to the regulations for different reasons. Charles was on a one-stop strategy today, and this meant his tire wear was very high, causing the car to be underweight. With regard to Lewis’ skid wear, we misjudged the consumption by a small margin,” said a Ferrari spokesperson.
Ferrari faced a heavy penalty, losing a total of 18 constructors’ points due to the disqualifications of their drivers. “There was no intention to gain any advantage,” the spokesperson added, “We will learn from what happened today and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again.”
The repercussions of this ruling extended beyond Ferrari, as it also affected the race order. Alpine's Pierre Gasly, who finished 11th, was disqualified for the same reason as Leclerc and Hamilton, being found underweight after his car had its fuel drained. Consequently, this opened new opportunities for other drivers. Esteban Ocon of Haas moved up to fifth place, while Lance Stroll from Aston Martin and Carlos Sainz of Williams secured their positions within the top ten, with Sainz earning a point for his efforts.
Hamilton initially shone during the race weekend, having secured his first victory for Ferrari in the sprint race held on Friday. However, the disqualification cast a long shadow over the team’s performance and strategic approach. The complexity of tire management in Formula 1 was highlighted, especially in light of the rapid strategy shifts that characterized the Chinese Grand Prix.
The FIA's stewards outlined during the investigation that Hamilton's team confirmed the accuracy of the measurements, acknowledging they had followed all required procedures without mitigating circumstances related to the errors. This formal admission from the team underscored the accountability taken for their technical misjudgments.
The disqualification of both Ferrari drivers is a stark reminder of the stringent regulation environment in Formula 1, where teams must constantly adapt to maintain compliance with technical standards. With the league’s emphasis on fairness and equality underscored through these actions, teams will undoubtedly analyze the fallout of these rulings to refine their strategies for upcoming races.
The events at the Shanghai circuit were not just a setback for Ferrari, but also a significant learning moment that could shape future racing strategies moving ahead in the season. The team's commitment to reviewing their technical operations reflects a proactive stance towards ensuring they don’t repeat the missteps evident in the Chinese GP. Such accountability is crucial for maintaining competitive integrity in a highly scrutinized championship.)
As teams are poised to learn from these incidents, the implications for race strategies and the future performance of Ferrari will undoubtedly be watched closely by fans and pundits alike in anticipation of how they will rebound in the next pivotal races of the season.
