Ferrari faced a major setback at the Chinese Grand Prix as both their drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, were disqualified due to technical infringements. This development marked a disappointing end to the race for the team and especially for Hamilton, who was competing in only his second event for Ferrari.
Leclerc and Hamilton originally finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in a race that saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri take victory. However, post-race inspections revealed that Ferrari had violated two key technical regulations. The skid block on Hamilton’s car was found to be 0.5mm below the required limit, while Leclerc’s car was determined to be 1kg under the minimum weight requirement. As a result, both drivers were summoned by the stewards, and following a review, the FIA confirmed that Ferrari had admitted fault in both cases.
The team later issued a statement acknowledging their errors and expressing their intent to prevent similar mistakes in the future. They conceded that their calculations regarding Hamilton’s car’s skid wear had been incorrect, leading to a greater-than-expected reduction in material. In Leclerc’s case, the issue arose due to an unexpected strategy change. Initially planned as a two-stop race, Ferrari opted for a one-stop approach, which resulted in increased tire wear. The additional degradation contributed to the car falling below the weight limit.
Ferrari clarified that their miscalculations were unintentional and not an attempt to gain a competitive advantage. Nevertheless, the FIA regulations on car weight and skid wear are strict, and any infraction leads to automatic disqualification. Other teams, such as McLaren and Mercedes, also adjusted their race strategies but remained within the rules.
This incident highlights the fine margins within which Formula One teams operate. Optimizing performance requires teams to push boundaries, but exceeding regulations, even slightly, can have significant consequences. The disqualification nullified what had initially been a strong race for Ferrari, and the team will need to ensure their calculations and strategic decisions are more precise in the future.
