It’s official: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has received a massive penalty at the Chinese Grand Prix after the FIA revealed new evidence that emerged during post-race testing. The news, which has shaken the paddock and Formula 1 fans, is a major blow to the British driver and to Ferrari, the team with which he made his debut this year after his sensational move from Mercedes. The episode comes in the midst of an already complicated weekend for the Maranello team, which saw both of its cars disqualified for technical irregularities, a rare and embarrassing event for such a prestigious team.
It all began after the race in Shanghai, when the FIA technical stewards performed routine checks on the cars. In Hamilton’s case, the problem they found was excessive wear on the lower pad of his SF-25, known as the “plank.” This component, essential for ensuring safety and compliance with aerodynamic regulations, must maintain a minimum thickness of 9 millimeters, according to Formula 1 technical regulations. However, measurements taken on Hamilton’s car revealed lower values: 8.6 mm on the left side, 8.6 mm in the center, and 8.5 mm on the right side. A minimal discrepancy, but enough to violate the rules, which do not allow exceptions. During the hearing with the stewards, Ferrari representatives admitted the error, calling it “in good faith” and emphasizing that there was no intent to gain an advantage. However, the standard penalty for this infraction is disqualification, and so it was decided.
The penalty affects not only Hamilton, but also his teammate, Charles Leclerc, whose car weighs one kilogram less than the minimum limit of 800 kg imposed by the regulations. After replacing the damaged front wing and draining the fuel, the Monegasque’s car weighed just 799 kg. Once again, Ferrari acknowledged the oversight, but the FIA made no concessions and disqualified both drivers. This double defeat represents an unprecedented debacle for the Italian team, which loses precious points in the constructors’ championship and sees the results of an already difficult race, which ended with no podium finishes, evaporate.
For Hamilton, the penalty comes after a weekend that had begun with high expectations. The Briton had dominated Saturday’s Sprint Race, taking his first win with Ferrari and showing glimpses of the talent that has made him a Formula 1 legend. The Shanghai circuit, where he has triumphed six times in his career, seemed the ideal place to consolidate his impact on the team. However, difficulties in qualifying and the race, coupled with the disqualification, turned the weekend into a nightmare. Hamilton himself revealed that an experimental change to the car after the Sprint Race had worsened performance, a detail that may have contributed to excessive tread wear.
The accident raises questions about Ferrari’s preparations with the new SF-25. A miscalculation of skating gear or weight control demonstrates a lack of attention that is at odds with the team’s reputation. The team promised to learn from its mistakes, but the damage was already done: fans and insiders were stunned by such a basic error. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also suffered the same fate due to his car’s insufficient weight, a small consolation for Ferrari, which must now move on for the upcoming races.
For Hamilton, this sanction is a severe moral blow. After a difficult 2024 with Mercedes, the move to Ferrari was seen as a new beginning. Victory in the Sprint Championship had rekindled his enthusiasm, but the disqualification once again cast a shadow over his path. It remains to be seen how the champion, known for his resilience, will react in a world championship that promises to be competitive. Meanwhile, the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix will be remembered as a dark day for the Prancing Horse, a reminder of how much the details matter in Formula 1.
