Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton Faces Disqualification After Chinese GP Post-Race Checks
In a dramatic turn of events at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from the race due to a technical infringement on his Ferrari. Post-race inspections revealed that one of the skid blocks on Hamilton’s car was below the minimum required thickness, leading to his removal from the final standings.
The disqualification means Hamilton loses his sixth-place finish in the main race, just a day after securing victory in the Shanghai Sprint—his first win for Ferrari since joining the Italian team.
Leclerc and Gasly Also Disqualified for Weight Breach
Hamilton was not the only driver affected by post-race technical checks. His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly were also disqualified, as both cars were found to be underweight.
Leclerc, who had finished fifth, faced the weight violation due to excessive tyre wear resulting from his one-stop strategy. Gasly, who placed 11th, suffered a similar fate due to miscalculations in fuel consumption and tyre degradation.
Ferrari’s Response to the Disqualification
In an official statement, Ferrari clarified that there was “no intention to gain any advantage” from the rule breaches. The team admitted to a slight miscalculation in managing skid wear on Hamilton’s car and tyre degradation on Leclerc’s, leading to their unfortunate disqualifications.
“We will learn from what happened today and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again,” the statement read.
Understanding the Skid Block Rule in F1
Formula 1 cars are equipped with skid blocks embedded in the wooden plank on the car’s underfloor. These are designed to ensure that the vehicle maintains a legal ride height, preventing teams from running their cars too low for aerodynamic gains. If the skid block wears down beyond the allowed limit, it suggests that the car has been running lower than permitted, potentially offering a performance advantage.
This is not the first time Hamilton has faced a similar setback. In 2023, while driving for Mercedes, he was disqualified from the United States Grand Prix for an identical skid block infringement.
Impact on the Championship Standings
Hamilton’s disqualification deals a blow to his efforts in the championship battle, as he forfeits crucial points. Leclerc and Gasly’s removal from the results also shakes up the final classification, benefiting drivers who finished just outside the top positions.
As Ferrari and Alpine regroup from this unexpected setback, the focus now shifts to ensuring compliance in the upcoming races. With the F1 season still unfolding, every point and technical detail will prove vital in the chase for the 2024 championship.
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