Source:REUTERS/ Go Nakamura
[Saba Sports News] As the checkered flag was waved at the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari faced a nightmare. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were both disqualified from the race for failing post-race inspections by the FIA. This unexpected turn of events turned a potential points haul for Ferrari into zero, completely derailing the team’s plans. According to an official statement from Ferrari, Leclerc’s car was deemed non-compliant for being 1 kilogram lighter than the FIA’s minimum weight requirement, while Hamilton’s car was disqualified for having a skid block that had worn down more than the permissible 0.5 mm limit. Ferrari explained that Leclerc’s one-stop strategy led to excessive tire wear, and he lost his left front wing on lap one, resulting in insufficient car weight; meanwhile, Hamilton’s skid block issue was a misjudgment by the team. Ferrari emphasized that they did not intentionally break the rules or try to gain an unfair advantage, admitting that it was a significant mistake on the team’s part. They also stated that they would learn from this experience to ensure similar errors do not occur in the future.