Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton disqualified from F1 2025 Chinese GP

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton disqualified from F1 2025 Chinese GP

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion had crossed the line in sixth place

A horrific F1 2025 Chinese GP for Ferrari culminates in Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc being disqualified as they lose their points haul from the Shanghai International Circuit for breaching separate technical rules.

The two red cars had found the chequered flag in fifth and sixth to end a disappointing afternoon that saw them firmly out of contention for the victory, taken by Oscar Piastri, despite winning Saturday’s Sprint Race.

However, post-race checks by Jo Bauer and the FIA inspection team found two separate breaches of the Formula 1 technical rules, meaning it was inevitable Leclerc and Hamilton would be disqualified from the F1 2025 Chinese GP thus costing the team 18 points.

Hamilton’s name was called up too for excessive wear of the wooden skid block, designed to regulate floor ride height, beyond the 9mm tolerance permitted. It’s a similar disqualification to the one he experienced at the F1 2023 United States GP with Mercedes.

It means a frustrating race for the Brit, in which he lacked pace throughout compared to his teammate, means he doesn’t even get to keep his haul of points. He will be glad, at least, to have won the Sprint on March 22.

“Tough day but a positive weekend overall,” Hamilton told Ferrari in a press release before the DSQ. “And we’ve made some good progress since Melbourne.

“We tried some new set up changes for qualifying and the race that didn’t work out, but that’s a learning we can take with us moving forward.

“I got a good start off the line but started to struggle with pace as the race continued, so suggested swapping with Charles to try and maximise our opportunities as a team.

“The two-stop strategy helped find some good pace towards the final few laps but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to gain places.

“We’ll go through everything, take the learnings, and come back stronger. It’s a long road to the championship, and we’ll keep pushing.

The 105-time Grand Prix winner now turns his attention forwards to the F1 2025 Japanese GP at the Suzuka International Race Course from April 4-6, where he will finally look to get his season on track in terms of the standings.