Ferrari’s Chinese Grand Prix ended in heartbreak as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified following technical breaches. The weekend had started on a high with Hamilton winning the sprint race, but post-race checks revealed that the underfloor plank of Hamilton’s car had excessive wear, while Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight, costing Ferrari valuable points. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was also disqualified for similar violations, marking a tough conclusion for the teams involved.
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The disqualifications saw both Hamilton and Leclerc lose their fifth and sixth-place finishes. Despite Hamilton’s solid performance during the sprint race, Ferrari admitted they made errors in managing the car’s set-up. The team explained that the wear on Hamilton’s car occurred due to a misjudgment in ride height, while Leclerc’s car was underweight due to excessive tyre wear from a one-stop strategy. Ferrari were quick to acknowledge their mistakes, assuring fans they would learn from the experience.
Hamilton, who had a challenging start to his Ferrari career, expressed disappointment but maintained his mature approach throughout the weekend. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur praised Hamilton’s decision to allow Leclerc to pass during the race, recognising it as a sign of his team-first mentality. However, both drivers were ultimately left empty-handed after the technical breaches.
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Meanwhile, Red Bull are reportedly considering a driver swap between rookie Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda after Lawson’s underwhelming performance. As the competition heats up and teams face mounting pressure, Ferrari’s weekend serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1, where even the smallest oversight can have significant consequences.
