FIA announce disqualification verdict for THREE F1 drivers at Chinese Grand Prix…..read more
The FIA has announced the disqualification of three Formula 1 drivers following the conclusion of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, altering the post-race results. McLaren secured a historic one-two finish at the Shanghai International Circuit, marking their 50th such achievement in the team’s history. Oscar Piastri took his first-ever victory, converting his maiden pole position into a dominant win, while his teammate Lando Norris finished in second place despite dealing with brake issues during the race.
The 56-lap race itself was relatively smooth, but there was early drama when Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made contact on the opening lap. Leclerc collided with Hamilton’s car, damaging his own SF-25 by knocking off the left-side endplate. Despite the damage, Leclerc continued racing, and Ferrari’s chances of a strong finish remained intact. However, a few hours after the race concluded, both Leclerc and Alpine driver Pierre Gasly were summoned to weigh their cars, as part of a standard post-race inspection by the FIA.
The governing body discovered that both Leclerc and Gasly’s cars were under the minimum weight requirement of 800 kg, leading to their disqualification for breaching Article 4.1 of the FIA technical regulations. As a result, both drivers were removed from the final standings of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
The controversy didn’t end there for Ferrari. The FIA also investigated Lewis Hamilton’s car after concerns about the legality of Ferrari’s skid wear. According to the FIA’s technical checks, the skid on Hamilton’s car was found to be below the minimum 9mm thickness required by Article 3.5.9 e) of the FIA regulations. As a result, Hamilton was also summoned to the stewards, along with representatives from his team, to address the alleged breach.
In the end, both Leclerc and Hamilton were disqualified, with Ferrari losing all their points from the race. Leclerc’s fifth-place finish and Hamilton’s sixth-place result were both erased from the standings. This decision was a major setback for Ferrari, who left the Chinese Grand Prix with no points, significantly affecting their early championship aspirations.
The disqualifications of Leclerc, Hamilton, and Gasly have shaken up the standings, and the FIA’s strict enforcement of technical regulations underscores the importance of compliance in Formula 1. The teams are now facing intense scrutiny as the season progresses, with McLaren emerging as the big winners in Shanghai, celebrating their 50th one-two finish in F1
history.
