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The recent Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai was marred by significant controversy, particularly involving Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Both were disqualified post-race due to technical infringements, leading to a reshuffling of the final standings and igniting debates within the Formula 1 community.
Disqualifications and Their Impact
Lewis Hamilton, who had shown promise by winning the sprint race the previous day, faced disqualification after his car was found to have excessive skid block wear, violating the 9mm limit set by regulations. Teammate Charles Leclerc’s vehicle was underweight by 1kg, resulting in his disqualification as well. Pierre Gasly of Alpine faced a similar fate due to his car also being underweight. These decisions cost Ferrari a total of 18 points, exacerbating their challenging start to the season.
Hamilton’s Reaction
Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration over the disqualification, particularly concerning the timing and communication of the decision. He emphasized the need for consistent enforcement of regulations and clearer communication from the FIA to teams and drivers. Hamilton’s disqualification widened his points gap to 36 behind championship leader Lando Norris.
Ferrari’s Response and Team Dynamics
Ferrari admitted to the errors leading to the disqualifications, with team principal Frédéric Vasseur emphasizing the importance of learning from these mistakes to prevent future occurrences. Vasseur also expressed frustration over selective broadcasting of team radio messages, which he believed misrepresented intra-team communications, particularly regarding Hamilton’s decision to let Leclerc pass during the race.
Revised Race Results
Following the disqualifications, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was declared the winner of the Chinese Grand Prix, leading a McLaren one-two finish with teammate Lando Norris in second place. Mercedes’ George Russell secured third, allowing Norris to extend his championship lead. Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished fourth, followed by Esteban Ocon in fifth.
Looking Ahead
The disqualifications at the Chinese Grand Prix have intensified discussions about regulatory enforcement and communication within Formula 1. Ferrari aims to address these challenges as they prepare for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix on April 6, focusing on both technical compliance and team performance to remain competitive in the championship.