Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both been disqualified from the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix for infringements found in post-race checks.
The pair laboured to a double-points finish, with Leclerc finishing the race in fifth, with Hamilton sixth, but both men were referred to the stewards by F1’s technical delegate Jo Bauer after their cars were both discovered to be carrying anomalies contravening the rules.
Both men made contact early on at the Shanghai International Circuit, resulting in the Monegasque losing his front-wing endplate.
Leclerc’s car was found to be a single kilogram underweight, after fuel was drained and a replacement front-wing was attached, breaching Article 4.1 of the technical regulations.
Hamilton’s rearmost skid, part of the underside plank on the car, was found to be beneath the minimum thickness of 9mm in all three measurement points taken, breaching Article 3.5.9.
The FIA statement officially confirming the disqualification of Hamilton says that Ferrari “acknowledged there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.”
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who finished 11th, has also been disqualified for, like Leclerc, being a kilogram underweight.
The triple disqualification has now reshaped the final results of the race.
Haas’ Esteban Ocon has been promoted to fifth, with team-mate Oliver Bearman now eighth, bettering what was already a double points finish for the American team, after a torrid first race in Australia last weekend.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who won Driver of the Day, is now sixth, with Williams’ Alex Albon seventh.
Team-mate Carlos Sainz, who has finished outside the points, is promoted to 10th, alongside Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who is now ninth.
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