Ferrari issued award after Chinese Grand Prix di…. read more
Ferrari endured a rollercoaster of emotions during the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, experiencing both moments of success and significant setbacks. The weekend began on a positive note with Lewis Hamilton securing his first Sprint Race victory since joining the team. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also delivered a solid performance in the Sprint, finishing in fifth place. These results provided a sense of optimism within the Ferrari camp as they headed into the main race on Sunday. Both drivers secured starting positions on the third row of the grid, giving them a decent opportunity to challenge the leaders.
However, despite their best efforts, the race itself did not go as planned for Ferrari. While Leclerc and Hamilton managed to put in competitive performances, they were unable to match the pace of the leading teams. By the end of the race, Leclerc had crossed the finish line in fifth position, closely followed by Hamilton in sixth. While these results were not ideal, they still offered valuable points for Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.
The situation took a dramatic turn after the race when routine FIA inspections revealed technical irregularities in both Ferrari cars. Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight by 1 kilogram, falling short of the minimum requirement, while Hamilton’s car showed excessive wear on its skid block, exceeding the permitted limit by 0.5 millimeters. These breaches of the regulations led to the immediate disqualification of both drivers from the race classification, meaning Ferrari lost all the points they had earned from the event.
Ferrari quickly responded to the ruling, accepting the FIA’s decision and acknowledging that these infractions were the result of unintentional errors rather than an attempt to gain an unfair advantage. The team expressed its commitment to identifying the underlying causes of these issues and ensuring that similar mistakes do not happen in the future. Losing 18 points due to disqualification proved to be a significant blow, especially in the context of the Constructors’ Championship. The setback allowed McLaren and other rival teams to extend their advantage over Ferrari, further complicating their efforts to remain in contention for the title.
Despite the disappointment of losing their race results, Ferrari did manage to take home a small but noteworthy consolation prize. The team was awarded the Fastest Pit Stop honor for the weekend, with their mechanics executing a rapid tire change during Leclerc’s pit stop, clocking in at just 2.34 seconds. This recognition underscored the efficiency and coordination of Ferrari’s pit crew, providing a rare highlight in what was otherwise a difficult race weekend.
While the double disqualification overshadowed much of the event, there were still signs of promise for Ferrari. Hamilton’s Sprint Race win stood out as a key positive, illustrating his growing confidence and adaptation to his new team environment. It also demonstrated Ferrari’s potential to compete at the front when everything goes right. The challenge ahead for the team will be to fine-tune their race operations and ensure full compliance with FIA regulations to avoid any further penalties that could jeopardize their season ambitions.
Looking ahead, Ferrari will need to regroup and analyze the specific factors that led to their disqualifications. Whether the issues were due to miscalculations in car setup, unexpected tire degradation, or other technical variables, the team must address them promptly. With a long season still ahead, Ferrari remains determined to bounce back stronger in upcoming races. Their goal will be to harness the strengths they showcased in China, particularly their strategic execution and pit stop efficiency, while eliminating costly mistakes that hinder their progress.
As the championship battle intensifies, Ferrari will be eager to move past this setback and refocus on delivering consistent performances. The next few races will be crucial in determining whether they can recover lost ground and reassert themselves as a serious contender for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
