Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton disqualified from Chinese GP after cars fail post-race technical checks

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix after their cars failed post-race inspections on Sunday. Leclerc and Hamilton initially finished fifth and sixth, respectively, but Leclerc’s car was found to be under the weight limit, while Hamilton’s exceeded the allowed skid wear.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who finished 11th, was also disqualified for his car being below the minimum weight.

Ferrari cars fail post-match inspections in Chinese GP

Leclerc lost his front wing end plate in a first-lap collision with Hamilton, but it was replaced before the final weighing. His car weighed 799 kg after the fuel was drained, falling short of the 800 kg minimum.

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s car had a plank thickness below the required nine mm. Mercedes acknowledged the error, with stewards confirming that all procedures were followed correctly but that there were no mitigating circumstances.

“During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly,” stewards said in a statement.

“The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.”

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The disqualifications reshuffled the final standings, benefiting Haas the most. Esteban Ocon moved up to fifth, while rookie Oliver Bearman secured eighth.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli took sixth for Mercedes, Alex Albon finished seventh for Williams, and Lance Stroll claimed ninth for Aston Martin. Carlos Sainz, who originally placed 13th, secured the final point for Williams.