Lewis Hamilton disqualification proves Mercedes got… Bahrain Grand Prix…Read more
Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated first season with Ferrari hasn’t gone as smoothly as many hoped. In the opening four races of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the seven-time world champion has only managed to score 25 points, placing him seventh in the drivers’ standings—behind the young Italian who took his former seat at Mercedes.
One of Hamilton’s most dramatic weekends came during round two in Shanghai. He celebrated a sprint race win but was later disqualified from Sunday’s main event, all within two days. Meanwhile, his former team Mercedes has been consistent, with George Russell and rising star Kimi Antonelli both securing solid points in their first season without Hamilton. However, Russell nearly faced a similar fate to Hamilton in Bahrain.
Why Hamilton Was Disqualified in the 2021 Brazilian GP
Back in 2021, Hamilton was disqualified after qualifying for the Brazilian sprint race due to a rear wing violation. According to the stewards, while the DRS gap was legal when not in use, it exceeded the maximum limit when activated. The gauge test showed the wing failed at the outer section, even after multiple checks, leading to his exclusion from qualifying results and a start from the back of the grid.
Russell’s DRS Incident in Bahrain and Why He Wasn’t Penalized
The situation in Bahrain this year differed significantly. After finishing second in Sakhir, Russell was investigated for activating DRS outside the designated zones typically a breach. The issue stemmed from him mistakenly hitting the manual DRS button while trying to use the team radio amid electronic issues.
The stewards noted he only activated DRS for 37 meters on a 700-meter straight and actually lost time at the following corner. Since there was no real advantage gained, they opted not to penalize him.
While Hamilton’s 2021 disqualification shows how strictly rules have been applied in the past, Russell was fortunate that the stewards took a more lenient view this time. Even a minor penalty could have cost him his podium finish, but the decision ultimately went in his favor.
