Ferrari Admits Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese GP Disqualification Was Due to Lo…read more
In a shocking turn of events at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari has admitted that Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification from the race was due to the team losing a key component from their 2024 car, which inadvertently made its way onto the seven-time world champion’s SF-24B. The revelation has sparked controversy, raising questions about Ferrari’s internal processes and technical oversight.
Hamilton’s Disqualification Shocks the Paddock
The Chinese Grand Prix was set to be one of Hamilton’s most promising races in his short tenure with Ferrari. After qualifying in a solid fourth place, Hamilton had delivered a strong performance during the race, crossing the finish line in third after an intense battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris. However, hours after the race, FIA scrutineers found an irregularity with Hamilton’s car, leading to a devastating post-race disqualification.
Initially, Ferrari remained tight-lipped about the nature of the issue, but after an internal investigation, the team has now admitted that the problem was linked to a key missing component from their previous season’s SF-24, which had mistakenly found its way onto Hamilton’s 2025 machine.
Ferrari’s team principal, Frédéric Vasseur, addressed the media following the FIA’s ruling, revealing that a small but crucial aerodynamic component from the 2024 SF-24 had been fitted onto Hamilton’s 2025 SF-24B.
“We have conducted a thorough review, and we regret to confirm that an administrative and logistical oversight led to a component from last year’s car being installed on Lewis’ vehicle. This part was not in compliance with this year’s regulations, leading to his disqualification,” Vasseur explained.
According to Ferrari’s engineers, the component in question was a minor aerodynamic piece that played a role in the car’s underfloor airflow management. While it did not provide a competitive advantage, it was non-compliant with the updated 2025 technical regulations, which resulted in Hamilton being stripped of his podium finish.
The disqualification is a massive blow for both Hamilton and Ferrari, as they continue their pursuit of Red Bull’s dominance in the championship. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season in a blockbuster move from Mercedes, had been showing steady progress with the Scuderia and was looking to build momentum after a challenging start to the season.
Speaking about the incident, Hamilton expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic.
“It’s obviously frustrating to lose a podium this way, but I trust the team to learn from this. Mistakes happen, and we just have to move forward and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said the British driver.
The setback also hurts Ferrari’s championship aspirations, as they lost crucial points in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, who finished just behind Hamilton in fourth place, was promoted to the podium following the disqualification.
The incident has not gone unnoticed by Ferrari’s rivals, with some teams questioning how such an oversight could occur in a team of Ferrari’s stature. Red Bull’s Christian Horner commented on the situation, saying,
“These are the kinds of mistakes that shouldn’t happen at this level of Formula 1. Every team has stringent checks in place, so for a non-compliant component to make it onto the car is surprising.”
Mercedes’ Toto Wolff also weighed in, expressing sympathy for Hamilton while subtly critiquing Ferrari’s internal procedures.
“It’s unfortunate for Lewis, but it’s also a reminder that attention to detail is everything in this sport. These cars are built with extreme precision, and there’s no room for administrative errors,” Wolff stated.
Ferrari has assured fans and the FIA that they are taking immediate steps to prevent a repeat of such an incident. Vasseur confirmed that the team is implementing stricter quality control measures in their logistics and assembly processes.
“We are revising our internal protocols to ensure that only the correct components are used on our current cars. We take full responsibility for this error and will work to ensure it does not happen again,” Vasseur said.
Despite the setback, Ferrari remains focused on bouncing back in the next round of the championship. With Hamilton and Leclerc both eager to fight for victories, the Scuderia will be determined to put this controversy behind them and get back to challenging for the title.
The next race on the calendar is the Miami Grand Prix, where Hamilton will be looking for redemption and Ferrari will be aiming to prove that their mistakes are behind them. The battle at the front remains intense, with Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren all showing strong performances early in the season.
As the championship unfolds, Ferrari will need to ensure their operations run flawlessly if they hope to challenge for their first Drivers’ Championship since 2007. Hamilton’s disqualification serves as a harsh lesson, but if Ferrari can turn their misfortune into motivation, they could still emerge as strong contenders in the races to come.
For now, Ferrari fans will be left wondering what could have been in China, while the team works tirelessly to ensure such a mistake does not cost them again.
