In a shocking turn of events that has left Ferrari fans heartbroken and Formula 1 enthusiasts across the globe stunned, both Ferrari drivers — seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc — have been disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix. This unexpected news comes after both drivers crossed the finish line in promising fifth and sixth positions, only to have their results stripped away following post-race technical inspections.
The disqualification also extended to Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, marking the first time since 2004 that three drivers have been disqualified in the same Grand Prix. This dramatic shake-up has not only cost Ferrari a valuable 18 points but has also left fans questioning the team’s decisions and left their championship hopes hanging by a thread.
So, what went wrong?
According to the FIA, the disqualifications stem from two separate rule violations. In Lewis Hamilton’s case, the problem was with the car’s skid block — a piece of material under the car that controls how close the car runs to the ground. The FIA mandates a minimum thickness of 9 millimeters to ensure fairness and safety. Hamilton’s skid block was found to be worn down to 8.5 millimeters — just half a millimeter short but enough to trigger disqualification.
While half a millimeter may seem insignificant, in the world of F1 racing, it can mean the difference between a level playing field and a mechanical advantage. A thinner skid block suggests the car was running lower to the ground, allowing for better aerodynamic performance and faster lap times — but also breaching FIA regulations.
The reason behind this oversight? It appears to be a combination of circumstances. This weekend featured a Sprint format, meaning teams had limited opportunities to fine-tune car setups under race conditions. Without a proper full-length practice session to simulate the race and account for evolving track conditions, it’s possible that Ferrari miscalculated how much wear the skid block would endure over the course of the race.
For Charles Leclerc, the issue was entirely different but equally devastating. The minimum weight of an F1 car is set at 800 kilograms. After the race, once the fuel was drained and the car weighed, Leclerc’s car came in under that minimum by one kilogram — an automatic disqualification under FIA regulations.
How did this happen? The Ferrari team believes a combination of factors led to the miscalculation. Originally planning for a two-stop strategy, the team expected a late pit stop and fresher tires that would maintain weight in the final stages of the race. However, the absence of a safety car meant higher-than-expected fuel consumption, leaving the car lighter than anticipated by the end of the race. Additionally, minor damage and parts loss during a mid-race collision with Hamilton forced a wing replacement, temporarily increasing weight but ultimately failing to offset the increased fuel burn.
Though there are mitigating circumstances, both disqualifications are hard-line violations of FIA rules, and Ferrari has accepted the decision without protest.
The fallout has been severe. Ferrari’s championship campaign has taken a significant hit, dropping them 61 points behind McLaren after only two weeks into the season. To make matters worse, Ferrari now trails even Williams, who benefited from the disqualifications, with Alex Albon securing a brilliant finish and additional points for his team. Haas and Aston Martin also gained valuable points, with Lance Stroll achieving back-to-back points finishes.
For Hamilton and Leclerc, this is a bitter pill to swallow. Just last weekend in Melbourne, Hamilton urged fans and the team not to panic after a lackluster performance. The Sprint race victory this weekend had given hope of a resurgence, but today’s disqualifications threaten to derail Ferrari’s championship aspirations before they even properly begin.
The situation leaves Ferrari playing catch-up. Their two star drivers now sit well behind a newly formed leading quartet in the driver standings, currently led by McLaren’s Lando Norris. Meanwhile, their rivals are capitalizing on every opportunity — McLaren continuing to stretch their lead and Williams making the most of Ferrari’s misfortune.
What does this mean for Ferrari going forward? In short, damage control. The team will need to review their processes, especially in Sprint weekend setups, where minimal adjustments can make or break performance. Ferrari’s team principal, Frédéric Vasseur, has already promised a full investigation and emphasized that while racing is competitive, rules are rules — and they must be followed to the letter.
The disqualifications are a painful reminder that Formula 1 is not just about speed and skill but precision and strategy down to the smallest detail. For Ferrari, the margin of error was no more than the thickness of an ID card and the weight of a single kilogram — yet the impact on their championship campaign is enormous.
As Ferrari fans across the globe reel from the news, one thing is clear: the road to redemption will be long, and every race from here on out is critical. Can Hamilton and Leclerc recover and claw back their losses? Only time will tell, but for now, heartbreak and frustration overshadow what could have been a promising weekend for the Scuderia.
