Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disqualified after Chinese GP fail

In the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Chinese Grand Prix held in Shanghai ended in disaster for Ferrari as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced disqualifications. The race was notable for its tensions, as Hamilton and Leclerc, who initially finished in fifth and sixth places respectively, were subjected to post-race technical checks by the FIA officials. The checks revealed that Hamilton's car was found to have excessive wear on its skid block, with the thickness dropping below the required 9mm threshold, while Leclerc's car was deemed underweight, weighing in at 799kg, just a kilogram short of the minimum 800kg requirement. The disqualifications sent shockwaves through the paddock, significantly impacting the Constructors' Championship standings early in the season. Ferrari's disqualification meant that the team lost a possible 18 points, thrusting them behind Williams in the Constructors' standings. This situation resulted in a considerable deficit, leaving them 61 points adrift of leaders McLaren. The disqualification also reshuffled the points distribution for the race, elevating several other drivers, including Esteban Ocon and Kimi Antonelli, as well as Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz, into scoring positions. Despite the gloom surrounding the team, Hamilton managed to retain points earned from winning the sprint race that occurred prior to the main event. The implications of the disqualifications were significant, with Hamilton and Leclerc effectively wiped from the Drivers' Championship scorecards for their race finishes. Hamilton dropped to ninth overall with nine points, while Leclerc fell to tenth with eight points. The incident marked a low point for Ferrari in their early-season campaign, which had begun with high hopes following Hamilton's sprint victory. Team Principal Fred Vasseur faced scrutiny as the situation represented not only a regulatory failure but also a critical setback at a stage where establishing momentum is essential in the championship. In light of the disqualification, the FIA stated that Ferrari acknowledged the errors leading to their cars failing scrutineering, admitting that there were no mitigating circumstances. Both drivers expressed their disappointment over the car performance and the strategy employed during the race. Hamilton, specifically, noted that despite trying different approaches, including a two-stop strategy to combat issues with pace, the end result was far from satisfactory. This incident has sparked discussions across the F1 community regarding both technical regulations and team management decisions as they prepare for the upcoming races in a highly competitive season.