FIA Confirms Hamilton’s Disqualification in Shanghai: Ferrari’s Setup Fears Could Be Behind Struggles
The aftershocks of Ferrari’s dual disqualification from the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix are still being felt throughout the Formula 1 paddock. What initially appeared to be a straightforward technical infraction has now snowballed into a wider crisis for the team—one that could be affecting driver confidence, performance, and even their 2024 championship hopes. According to Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz, the ripple effect might be impacting Lewis Hamilton the most.
At the time, Ferrari seemed poised for a strong turnaround. After a disappointing start to the season, both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had crossed the finish line in the points in Shanghai, offering a glimmer of hope to the Scuderia and their fans. However, that optimism was short-lived. Post-race scrutineering by the FIA uncovered that both cars breached regulations, particularly due to excessive plank wear and minimum weight compliance—both serious violations.
As a result, both Hamilton and Leclerc were stripped of their finishing positions, nullifying Ferrari’s entire points haul for the weekend. It was an embarrassing and demoralizing outcome, not just for the team but for its drivers. Ferrari quickly launched an internal review, with senior staff promising to tighten up quality control procedures and avoid a repeat of such a costly oversight. Public apologies followed, as the team attempted damage control amid growing scrutiny.
Since that incident, Lewis Hamilton’s form has noticeably dipped. Despite his well-known dedication and work ethic, the seven-time world champion has found himself finishing far from the top spots. In multiple interviews, Hamilton has admitted he no longer feels competitive in the car—something that seems to have started immediately after the Chinese GP debacle. He’s described an unfamiliar lack of pace and a growing sense of frustration over the car’s handling.
Ted Kravitz, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, believes he knows why. According to Kravitz, Ferrari’s setup might have been drastically altered in response to the disqualification, particularly to address the plank wear issue. “What likely happened,” Kravitz suggested, “is that Ferrari raised the ride height of the car as a precautionary measure to avoid breaching the regulations again.”
Ride height is a critical factor in F1 car performance. Lowering the car to the ground helps increase downforce and improve aerodynamics, giving the car better grip and faster lap times. However, the FIA strictly monitors plank wear to prevent teams from running their cars too low and gaining an unfair advantage. In Shanghai, Ferrari may have pushed this boundary too far—and paid the price.
Now, fearing another run-in with the FIA, Ferrari appears to be taking a more conservative approach. By raising the car slightly, they ensure compliance but also compromise performance. This safety-first setup could explain Hamilton’s recent issues, especially since he hinted in interviews that things began to go wrong only after the race in China. “It could be that simple,” Kravitz remarked. “They’re playing it safe, maybe too safe, and that’s costing them crucial performance.”
If this theory holds water, then Ferrari’s main challenge might not be raw pace or engineering flaws—it could be fear. Fear of another disqualification. Fear of more lost points. And that fear is potentially causing them to sacrifice the ideal setup that would allow both Hamilton and Leclerc to truly fight at the front.
In a sport where thousandths of a second make the difference between pole position and the midfield, even a small setup change like a higher ride height can have significant consequences. The challenge now for Ferrari will be to strike a better balance between regulatory compliance and competitive performance.
As the team works to regain form and chase championship points, this lingering caution may prove to be the greatest barrier. Meanwhile, Hamilton, still searching for answers, must contend with a car that no longer allows him to perform at the level he’s accustomed to. The road to recovery for Ferrari and their star driver remains uncertain—but what’s clear is that the fallout from Shanghai continues to loom large.
