The Chinese Grand Prix concluded in a dramatic fashion, with Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc facing disqualification due to non-compliance with FIA regulations. This shocking outcome stripped Ferrari of its double points finish, as both Hamilton and Leclerc were removed from their P5 and P6 rankings respectively, following extensive post-race inspections.
Ferrari has since issued a statement, offering an explanation for the unfortunate events that led to this unexpected turn of events. The Italian racing team acknowledged the different issues faced by the two drivers, both leading to disqualification penalties.
Leclerc’s SF-25 was found to be underweight by 1 kg, a fact attributed to the high tyre wear resulting from his one-stop strategy. Hamilton’s vehicle, on the other hand, had an issue with the rearward skid wear, which was discovered to be 0.5mm below the stipulated limit. Ferrari admitted to misjudging the consumption of Hamilton’s skid wear by a slight margin.
Contrary to what may be assumed, Ferrari emphasized that there was no intention to exploit any advantage. The team expressed its commitment to learning from these occurrences and reassured fans of their dedication to prevent such mistakes in future.
The disappointing end to the Chinese Grand Prix for Ferrari and its unwavering fans echoes a similar incident from the previous racing season. The disqualification of Leclerc mirrors the unfortunate fate of Mercedes’ George Russell at the Belgian Grand Prix. Russell, who believed he had won the race utilizing a one-stop strategy, was later disqualified when his car was found to be underweight. It was speculated that the one-stop strategy led to higher tyre wear, resulting in an underweight car, much like Leclerc’s situation in China.
Ferrari’s earnest explanation and promise to address these issues exhibit their commitment to fair play and continuous improvement in the competitive world of Formula 1 racing. Despite the setback at the Chinese Grand Prix, the team remains optimistic about their future races, taking these experiences as lessons for a stronger comeback.