FIA announce disqualification verdict for THREE F1 drivers a…..read more
The FIA has handed out disqualifications to three Formula 1 drivers after the Chinese Grand Prix, leading to a significant reshuffle in the final race standings.
The Shanghai International Circuit hosted an eventful race weekend, which ultimately saw McLaren celebrating a milestone achievement. The British outfit secured their 50th one-two finish in their F1 history. Young Australian driver Oscar Piastri started the race from pole position, marking a major personal and professional triumph. He successfully converted his maiden pole into his second career win, showing composure and pace throughout the 56-lap contest. Right behind him was his team-mate, Lando Norris, who also had a strong race despite grappling with technical troubles related to his brakes. Norris’ efforts were enough to seal second place and secure the historic one-two result for McLaren.
While McLaren were enjoying a memorable day, it was a mixed bag for other teams, particularly Ferrari. Early drama unfolded on the first lap when Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who is still relatively new to the team since his high-profile move from Mercedes, made contact. Leclerc’s SF-25 sustained damage when he clipped Hamilton’s car, which led to the left-side front wing endplate being knocked off. Despite this setback, Leclerc continued without opting for an early pit stop, choosing to drive on with the compromised aerodynamics. Surprisingly, the missing endplate did not seem to have a drastic impact on Leclerc’s overall race pace, and he remained competitive throughout.
The race itself, which began under clear skies at 3pm local time, ran largely incident-free after that early scuffle, with no major crashes or extended safety car periods disrupting the flow. However, the drama was far from over as the post-race scrutineering process uncovered technical irregularities related to three unnamed drivers. Following an FIA investigation, all three drivers were disqualified for breaches of the sport’s technical regulations. The governing body has yet to release a detailed explanation of the infractions, but the disqualifications resulted in a significant shake-up to the final race classification, benefitting several midfield teams who found themselves promoted into points-scoring positions.
While McLaren celebrated a landmark result and Ferrari dealt with internal issues, the focus will inevitably turn to how these disqualifications will impact the championship standings. Both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships are closely contested this season, and the removal of three competitors from the final classification is likely to alter the points picture moving forward. The teams and fans alike will now be awaiting further clarification from the FIA as the paddock shifts its attention to the next race on the calendar.
