Former Ferrari chairman left in disbelief by Hamilton and Leclerc disqualifications at the Chinese Grand Prix, as Bernie Ecclestone reveals shocking details of the scandal.
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the recent Chinese Grand Prix, leaving former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo “horrified” by the scandal. This bombshell revelation was made by former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who labeled Ferrari’s double blow in Shanghai as the biggest disgrace in the team’s history.
Hamilton and Leclerc, who initially finished fifth and sixth, were both excluded from the official classification for separate violations. Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight, while Hamilton faced disqualification due to excessive wear on the skid blocks of his SF-25. This isn’t the first time Hamilton has been excluded for this reason, with a similar incident occurring in his final season with Mercedes in 2023.
During a recent encounter at Eric Clapton’s 80th birthday celebration, Ecclestone disclosed that di Montezemolo was still reeling from the disqualifications a week later. The former Ferrari chairman lamented that Italy had never experienced such a disgrace in the World Championship era.
Leclerc’s car fell just one kilogram short of the minimum weight limit after fuel drainage, sparking speculations about excessive tire wear contributing to the disqualification. Ecclestone suggested that Leclerc could have avoided this by collecting debris on the cooldown lap to increase the car’s weight.
Further reports indicate that Ferrari has been actively working to understand the SF-25 better, conducting extensive simulator tests post the Chinese GP. With trials of 20 different suspension configurations, the team is gearing up to implement adjustments for the upcoming races, including the Grand Prix in Japan.
Despite setbacks in the early races of the season, Ferrari remains optimistic about unlocking the true potential of their 2025 design concept. With tweaks to address the car’s sensitivity to ride-height changes, the team is hopeful for a breakthrough performance at Suzuka this weekend.
The scandalous disqualifications at the Chinese Grand Prix have sent shockwaves through the F1 community, raising questions about the meticulousness of car inspections and the teams’ strategies to comply with regulations. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
