Disqualifications of Hamilton and Leclerc Cause Stir at Chinese Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix due to technical violations, significantly impacting Ferrari’s standings in the championship. Both cars failed inspections; Hamilton’s skid block was too thin and Leclerc’s car was underweight. This controversy also saw Pierre Gasly disqualified, reshaping the race’s top-ten results.
In a dramatic turn of events at the Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified after failing post-race inspections. Hamilton’s skid block was found beneath the required thickness, while Leclerc’s car was determined to be underweight. This disqualification signifies a significant setback for Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season, resulting in the loss of crucial championship points for both drivers.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also faced disqualification for a similar issue regarding car weight. Consequently, Hamilton, who originally finished sixth, and Leclerc, who placed fifth, both have their scores of eight and ten points annulled, respectively. Despite his disqualification, Hamilton retains the eight points awarded for his sprint race victory earlier in the weekend.
Liam Lawson, who finished in twelfth place, expressed the challenges of the race and noted, “…we tried to do something aggressive today… it just didn’t work today.” Furthermore, Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, provided insights into the team’s circumstances, stating that their cars did not conform to regulations for different reasons.
The disqualification of Leclerc’s car was attributed to being underweight by one kilogram due to high tire wear during a one-stop strategy. Hamilton’s issue arose from an erroneous assessment of skid wear, leading to a violation of the regulations outlining minimum specifications. Vasseur emphasized the team’s commitment to learning from this experience to avoid future infractions.
Pierre Gasly reflected on the weekend’s challenges, remarking, “Unfortunately, after the race, a technical infringement meant we faced a DSQ.” Hamilton also acknowledged problems with a strategy change that did not yield expected improvements, noting, “We made it quite a bit worse.”
In a historic moment, Hamilton became the first Formula 1 driver to achieve a victory and subsequently face disqualification within the same race weekend. The FIA confirmed the disqualifications, marking a turbulent conclusion to the Chinese GP for these prominent drivers. The new official top-ten results reflect the absence of the disqualified competitors, reshuffling the standings significantly from their previous placements.
The Chinese Grand Prix ended in controversy as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified for failing post-race checks, bringing detrimental consequences for Ferrari. With both drivers losing championship points, the incident highlights the importance of compliance with technical regulations in Formula 1. As the season progresses, the team aims to rectify these missteps and learn from this experience to avoid future errors.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
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