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Potential Disqualification Looms for Leclerc, Hamilton, and Gasly Following Chinese Grand Prix Car Weight Discrepancies

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 23, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Potential Disqualification Looms for Leclerc, Hamilton, and Gasly Following Chinese Grand Prix Car Weight Discrepancies

Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly, three of Formula 1’s most prominent drivers, are on the brink of disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix, following post-race examinations that revealed key technical abnormalities in their vehicles.

Leclerc, despite a shaky start in which his front wing was damaged during a skirmish with teammate Hamilton, managed to secure a commendable fifth place. His strategy of a single pit stop proved successful, placing him ahead of Hamilton, who took an extra pit stop. To compensate for the damage, which inadvertently lightened his car, the Ferrari team replaced the missing endplate. However, after scrutinizing the Ferrari’s weight both with the damaged and the replaced wing, it was found to be underweight in both instances.

Further investigation into the matter revealed that the car, numbered 16, weighed 800.0 kg post-race, matching the minimum weight requirement as per TR Article 4.1, as stated by FIA technical Jo Bauer. The front wing, having been replaced due to damage, was weighed along with the car, showing a weight of 800.5 kg. Following this, 2.0 liters of fuel were drained from the car, which was then weighed again and found to be 799.0 kg, a kilogram below the minimum weight limit. This discrepancy has led to the matter being referred to the stewards for further consideration.

The Ferrari was not the lone vehicle to face such an issue. Pierre Gasly’s Alpine too was found to be underweight, weighing in at 799.0kg post fuel removal. This puts both cars in jeopardy of disqualification for violating technical regulations. As a precedent, George Russell faced a similar predicament after winning the Belgian Grand Prix last year. It was speculated that excessive tire wear might have been the cause. In Gasly’s case, he had completed 46 laps on his hard tires, the longest stint of the race, before finishing 11th. Leclerc, on the other hand, had completed his final stint after 41 laps.

While Hamilton’s vehicle adhered to the weight requirements, further examination showed his rear skid thickness to be below the prescribed limit of 9mm, measuring 8.6mm at two points and 8.5mm at another. Both Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified from the 2023 United States Grand Prix due to similar issues.

If the disqualification of Leclerc, Hamilton, and Gasly goes through, Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz, currently placed 12th and 13th respectively, stand to gain points. Additionally, Esteban Ocon, Kimi Antonelli, Alex Albon, and Oliver Bearman could also benefit from this development.

This unexpected turn of events post the Chinese Grand Prix has turned the spotlight on the significance of technical regulations in Formula 1, reminding us that victories are not just about speed and strategy, but also about meticulous compliance with the rules of the game.

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