Ferrari issue official statement over disqualification of Hamilton and Charles leclerc during a…read more
Ferrari has released an official response following the disqualification of both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the Chinese Grand Prix, a blow that has added to the team’s troubled beginning to the 2025 Formula 1 season. The disqualifications came after post-race technical inspections found both drivers’ cars in breach of FIA regulations, ultimately stripping them of their points finishes.
According to the FIA, Charles Leclerc’s car, marked as car number 16, was found to weigh 1 kilogram less than the minimum weight requirement set by the governing body. On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton’s car, number 44, showed excessive wear on the rear skid block, with the plank measuring 0.5 millimeters below the allowable limit. These infringements resulted in both drivers losing their respective fifth and sixth-place finishes in Shanghai, which altered the final points distribution, promoting drivers behind them further up the standings.
In their official statement, Ferrari acknowledged the causes that led to both infractions. The team explained that Leclerc had opted for a one-stop strategy during the race, which required careful tire and fuel management over a longer stint. However, the chosen strategy unexpectedly led to increased tire degradation, which in turn reduced the car’s overall weight below the regulated minimum by the end of the race. Ferrari admitted that while the team had anticipated some drop in weight, the final figure fell below what they had planned for.
Regarding Hamilton’s case, Ferrari conceded that they had miscalculated the level of plank wear his car would sustain during the race. The team had aimed to run the car as low as possible to maximize aerodynamic performance but underestimated how much the skid block would wear down on the Shanghai International Circuit’s bumpy surface. The excessive wear resulted in Hamilton’s car failing the post-race plank check.
This disqualification compounds a tough start to Hamilton’s first season driving for Ferrari. After a lackluster 10th-place finish at the season opener in Australia, the Chinese Grand Prix disqualification means Hamilton has secured just a single point from the first two Grands Prix of the 2025 season. Despite these challenges, Hamilton did manage to secure a highlight earlier in the Chinese GP weekend, clinching victory in the sprint race. That win gave him a valuable points boost and allowed him to move ahead of teammate Leclerc in the driver standings. However, Hamilton still sits a distant 35 points behind Lando Norris, who currently leads the championship.
Ferrari’s recent struggles, combined with regulatory infringements, highlight the fine margins and strategic pressures facing teams early in this highly competitive season. The team now faces the task of regrouping and addressing these issues ahead of the next round.
