Ferrari’s Historic Double Disqualification at Chinese Grand Prix Sparks Shock Statement
Ferrari faced an unprecedented double blow at the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix, becoming the first team in history to have both drivers—Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton—disqualified from the same race. After crossing the finish line in fifth and sixth at the Shanghai International Circuit, the duo was stripped from the results due to distinct technical violations. Ferrari issued a candid statement addressing the debacle, revealing the missteps that led to their dramatic exclusion and vowing to learn from the costly errors.

Leclerc’s car was found to be 1kg under the minimum weight limit, while Hamilton’s Ferrari suffered excessive wear on its rear skid block, measuring 0.5mm below the mandated threshold. Both infractions breached the FIA’s stringent technical regulations, erasing what initially appeared to be a solid points haul for the Scuderia. The disqualifications handed McLaren’s Oscar Piastri an unchallenged victory and reshaped the race standings, with Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen climbing the order.

A Historic First for Ferrari
This marks the first time Ferrari has endured a double disqualification in a single Grand Prix, a stark contrast to their storied legacy. For Hamilton, it’s his third career disqualification, following incidents at the 2009 Australian GP and the 2023 US GP—the latter of which also saw Leclerc excluded for brake issues. The Shanghai fallout adds a new chapter to Ferrari’s 2025 season woes, exposing vulnerabilities as they integrate Hamilton, who joined from Mercedes ahead of the year.

Ferrari’s full statement, shared with outlets like RacingNews365, laid bare the team’s errors: “After the FIA’s post-race inspection, both our cars failed to comply with regulations for different reasons. Car 16 (Leclerc) was 1kg underweight, and the rear skid wear on Car 44 (Hamilton) was 0.5mm below the limit.” The team attributed Leclerc’s violation to his one-stop strategy, which caused excessive tire wear and unintended weight loss. Hamilton’s issue, meanwhile, stemmed from a slight miscalculation of skid consumption.

Ferrari’s Mea Culpa
“There was no intent to gain an advantage,” Ferrari emphasized, dispelling any suspicion of foul play. “We’ll take lessons from today and ensure these mistakes don’t happen again. This isn’t how we wanted to end the Chinese GP—not for ourselves or our fans who always support us.” The admission reflects Ferrari’s determination to rebound, but the damage was undeniable: a lost opportunity to close the gap on rivals like McLaren and Red Bull.

The disqualifications came nearly three hours after the race, amplifying the shock within the paddock. Leclerc’s underweight car and Hamilton’s worn skid block—measured at 8.5mm to 8.6mm against the required 9mm—left no room for leniency under FIA scrutiny. The rulings also echoed Alpine’s Pierre Gasly’s exclusion for a similar weight breach, underscoring the governing body’s zero-tolerance stance.
A Missed Opportunity in Shanghai
On the track, Ferrari had shown promise. Leclerc’s fifth and Hamilton’s sixth-place finishes suggested a competitive outing, especially after Hamilton’s Sprint win the previous day. However, the post-race rulings turned a potential double-points finish into a double-zero scoreline. McLaren capitalized fully, with Piastri dominating from start to finish, while teammate Lando Norris battled brake issues but avoided technical penalties.

George Russell inherited a podium spot in third, followed by Verstappen in fourth and Esteban Ocon in fifth. The reshuffled order highlighted Ferrari’s misfortune, as their errors gifted rivals a free pass up the standings. For Hamilton, adapting to Ferrari’s car in his second race with the team, the disqualification compounded a challenging Sunday after voicing frustration with the car’s performance.

Fallout and Future Focus
Ferrari’s statement signals a commitment to improvement, but the Shanghai debacle raises questions about their technical precision. Leclerc’s one-stop gamble and Hamilton’s skid misjudgment reflect the fine margins in F1, where small oversights carry massive consequences. The team’s fans, accustomed to seeing the Prancing Horse compete at the front, were left disappointed by a result that fell far short of expectations.

As the 2025 season progresses, Ferrari must regroup to challenge McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull. For Hamilton, the disqualification is a setback in his quest to reclaim championship glory with his new team. The Chinese GP will linger as a historic low point—a rare double disqualification that stunned the F1 world. Can Ferrari turn this embarrassment into motivation? The paddock watches closely as the Scuderia aims to rewrite the narrative in the races ahead.