In a dramatic turn of events at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from the race after his Ferrari was found to be riding too close to the ground. The ruling, announced nearly three hours after the race concluded under the dark skies of Shanghai, stripped Hamilton of his sixth-place finish and eight valuable championship points. Adding to Ferrari’s woes, Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc was also disqualified for driving an underweight car, marking an unprecedented moment in F1 history as both Ferrari drivers were excluded from the same race.

The disqualification decisions didn’t end with Ferrari. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who finished 11th, was also removed from the results for a similar breach to Leclerc’s. The FIA stewards acted decisively, leaving no room for leniency in their enforcement of technical regulations at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Hamilton’s Disqualification: A Technical Violation
The FIA’s statement regarding Hamilton’s exclusion detailed the violation: “The skid structure of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton) was measured and found to be 8.6mm (left), 8.6mm (center), and 8.5mm (right). This thickness is below the minimum requirement of 9mm as stipulated in Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.” During the hearing, Ferrari representatives confirmed the accuracy of the measurements and acknowledged that all mandatory procedures were followed. The team admitted it was a genuine error with no mitigating circumstances, accepting full responsibility for the oversight.

Hamilton, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes ahead of the 2025 season, had shown promise earlier in the weekend by winning Saturday’s Sprint race—his first victory with the Italian outfit. However, Sunday’s Grand Prix proved challenging. Overheard arguing with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, Hamilton struggled with the car’s performance and was forced to yield to Leclerc, finishing behind his teammate before both were disqualified.

Ferrari’s Double Disqualification: A Historic Setback
Charles Leclerc’s disqualification stemmed from his Ferrari being under the minimum weight limit, another breach of FIA rules. The team issued a statement accepting the penalty: “There was no intent to gain an advantage. We will learn from what happened and ensure we do not repeat such mistakes.” The stewards echoed this, noting no mitigating factors were present to justify leniency. This rare double disqualification for Ferrari underscored a difficult day for the Scuderia, who had hoped to build momentum in their fight against McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull.

Gasly Joins the Casualties
Pierre Gasly’s disqualification followed shortly after Leclerc’s, with Alpine conceding a similar weight-related infraction. The Frenchman’s exclusion from 11th place further highlighted the FIA’s strict enforcement of technical standards at this pivotal race, won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Hamilton Reflects on a Tough Weekend
Speaking immediately after the race—before the disqualification was confirmed—Hamilton expressed frustration with his car’s performance. “I felt okay, but I didn’t get the result I hoped for today,” he said. “From the Sprint, we made changes, and the car got worse after that. I’ve really been struggling with it since.” The 40-year-old Briton, still adapting to Ferrari’s machinery, remained philosophical: “These are good lessons, and hopefully we won’t do that again as I keep learning this car. There are definitely positives to take from the weekend.”

Hamilton acknowledged the broader competitive picture: “We’re losing ground to the McLarens, Mercedes, and [Max] Verstappen, but we just need to keep pushing forward.” His comments underscored the tight battle in the 2025 season, where every point matters—a reality made harsher by the loss of his hard-earned eight points.

A Test of Ferrari’s Resilience
The Chinese Grand Prix was seen as a critical moment for Ferrari to assert themselves against rivals like McLaren, who celebrated Piastri’s victory, and Red Bull, led by Max Verstappen. However, the disqualifications have dealt a blow to their campaign, exposing vulnerabilities in their technical processes. For Hamilton, whose move to Ferrari was a headline-making transfer, this setback tests his resolve as he aims to reclaim his championship form.

What’s Next for F1?
The FIA’s firm stance at Shanghai has reignited discussions about the balance between technical precision and racing spectacle in Formula 1. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ferrari’s response—both on and off the track—and whether Hamilton can bounce back from this disappointment. For now, the Shanghai fallout leaves a lingering question: will this historic double disqualification mark a turning point for Ferrari, or merely a bump in their 2025 journey?