Leclerc, Hamilton and Gasly disqualified from Chinese GP

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both been excluded from the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix for falling foul of the technical regulations, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also thrown out of the results.

During post-race scrutineering, Leclerc’s and Gasly’s cars were both found to weigh 799kg after fuel was removed, 1kg below the minimum weight limit. In Leclerc’s case, his damaged front wing was replaced by a spare example during the weighing.

Explaining Leclerc’s case, FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported: “After the race, car number 16 was weighed and its weight was 800.0kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1.

“As the front wing was damaged (the missing FW endplate was recovered and weighed with the car), the car was re-weighed with an official spare front wing assembly of car 16 and its weight was 800.5kg. After this, fuel was drained out of the car and 2.0 litres of fuel were removed.

“The car was weighed again on the FIA scales (with the official spare front wing assembly of car 16) and the weight was 799.0kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. For information the spare front wing was 0.2kg heavier than the damaged one used during the race. As this is 1.0kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the competition, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

The scrutineers also took issue with Hamilton’s rearmost underbody skid block showing excessive wear beyond the 1mm wear limit. Hamilton’s blocks were ground down to 8.5mm to 8.6mm thickness depending on the measuring point, with the minimum limit set at 9mm.

“The rearmost skid was measured according to the team’s legality documents submission in accordance with TD039 L, item 1.2 b) i),” the FIA noted.

“Measurements were taken along the stiffness compliant area at three different points of the periphery (inner arc). The recorded measurement were 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centreline) and 8.5mm (RHS). As this is less than the 9mm minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e), I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

In their separate stewards’ hearings neither Ferrari nor Alpine representatives made an excuse for the oversight. “During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly,” the stewards noted in each individual case. “The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.”

Leclerc and Hamilton lose their double points finish in fifth and sixth respectively in a big blow for Ferrari, while Gasly had already finished outside the points in 11th.

The amended result means Esteban Ocon moves up to a sensational fifth for Haas, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Alex Albon and Oliver Bearman are all promoted as well. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Williams man Carlos Sainz have now moved up into the final points-paying positions.

In 2023 Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, and Leclerc were also disqualified at the US GP in Austin for excessive skid wear.