Ferrari face ‘painful reading’ after double disqualification horror-sh… read more
Ferrari is set to face a tough week following a nightmare double disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix, with both of its drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, being thrown out of the race for technical infringements. This marks the first time in Ferrari’s 75-year history in Formula 1, spanning over 1,100 races, that both of its drivers have been disqualified from the same event. The disqualification comes on the heels of a rare moment of success for the Scuderia, with Lewis Hamilton securing victory in the sprint race – his and Ferrari’s first win in 19 attempts since the sprint race format was introduced in 2021. However, the joy was short-lived as Ferrari’s hopes quickly turned to disaster in the grand prix.
Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle expressed that the double disqualification would undoubtedly bring painful repercussions for Ferrari, particularly from the Italian media. Brundle emphasized that the disqualifications, which also affected Alpine’s Pierre Gasly for a similar reason, would sting for the team, especially after the high hopes following the sprint race.
Leclerc’s disqualification came due to being found marginally underweight, a situation caused by several factors, according to Brundle. He explained that long runs on one set of tires can lead to weight loss from tire tread wear, and with the high race pace and no safety cars, fuel consumption would have been high, further impacting the car’s overall weight. Additionally, although Leclerc’s broken front wing had been replaced during the race, the team failed to account for the weight loss, leaving them underweight at the end of the race. This miscalculation, Brundle suggested, was a failure by Ferrari to leave enough margin for such unforeseen circumstances.
Sainz, meanwhile, also faced disqualification for a similar issue, though the specifics weren’t outlined in Brundle’s analysis. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s car was found to be too low to the ground, with the legality skid block underneath the car excessively worn, violating the technical specifications by half a millimeter. The rule governing this is designed to prevent teams from lowering their cars too much to gain aerodynamic advantages while risking damage to the costly floor of the car.
In Brundle’s view, the disqualifications were a harsh reminder that even the slightest technical infringement can lead to severe consequences in Formula 1. He noted that while the team’s performance throughout the weekend had been strong, these issues showed that even minor miscalculations could lead to a dramatic downfall. Ferrari, especially in its home country of Italy, will likely face a difficult week ahead with media backlash. While the sprint victory brought some hope, the disqualifications have cast a long shadow over the team’s weekend, leaving them with much to reflect on.
