F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2025 results: Final classification with penalties ap…. read more
The 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, held at the Shanghai International Circuit, turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions, both during and after the race. The event was marked by thrilling on-track action, but it was the post-race developments that truly reshaped the final standings and fueled further drama in the championship.
McLaren were the undisputed stars of the Grand Prix, as Oscar Piastri clinched his third career win in Formula 1, delivering a strong and composed performance. His teammate, Lando Norris, secured second place, crossing the finish line just 9.748 seconds behind Piastri. This result marked a historic milestone for McLaren, as it was their 50th one-two finish in the team’s illustrious history. The victory reinforced the Woking-based squad’s resurgence as a serious contender in the 2025 season, adding momentum to their already impressive campaign.
Yet, as is often the case in Formula 1, the conclusion of the race was not the end of the story. Once the cars returned to parc fermé and the initial celebrations began to die down, the stewards became busy reviewing several incidents and potential technical infringements. Multiple drivers were summoned for post-race investigations, throwing the provisional results into uncertainty.
Among those called to the stewards were Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, both of whom faced serious scrutiny. Post-race inspections revealed that both Leclerc’s and Gasly’s cars were found to be underweight, a clear violation of the sport’s strict technical regulations. Such an infraction typically leads to disqualification, as car weight is a critical factor in performance and safety. As a result, both drivers faced the strong possibility of being excluded from the final classification, pending the stewards’ formal decision.
Adding to the controversy, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, was also brought in for questioning. The FIA raised concerns regarding the legality of his car’s skid block, a crucial component that prevents cars from running too close to the ground. Breaching the regulations related to skid block wear can result in penalties ranging from time penalties to full disqualification. The investigation into Hamilton’s car added another layer of tension, as Ferrari risked losing critical points from two of their leading drivers.
In contrast, McLaren appeared to navigate the weekend flawlessly, with both Piastri and Norris avoiding any involvement in the post-race controversies. Their clean bill of health from the FIA meant that their dominant one-two finish stood firm, unaffected by the chaos around them. As the stewards’ decisions reshuffled the order for others, McLaren’s result remained a testament to their precision and performance in Shanghai.
Ultimately, the Chinese Grand Prix will be remembered not only for McLaren’s triumph but also for the turmoil that unfolded behind the scenes, as the final standings were shaped as much by the stewards’ room as by the racing on track.
