Lewis Hamilton Disqualification Highlights Mercedes DISMANTLES

Lewis Hamilton Disqualification Proves Mercedes Got Lucky at Bahrain Grand Prix

By Hugo Harvey

The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix delivered a dramatic twist that few saw coming, as Lewis Hamilton was disqualified post-race due to a technical infringement on his Ferrari, drawing unexpected attention to Mercedes and revealing just how fortunate the team may have been in the season opener.

Hamilton had originally finished fifth in the race, showing flashes of competitiveness as he continues his adaptation to Ferrari. However, following post-race scrutineering, FIA officials discovered that the rear skid block on his SF-25 was excessively worn—below the minimum thickness permitted by the regulations. This seemingly minor technical breach had major implications, as it led to Hamilton’s complete disqualification from the results.

For Mercedes, the timing of the disqualification couldn’t have been more convenient. George Russell, the only Mercedes driver to finish the race after Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification, was promoted to second place behind Oscar Piastri, who secured a commanding victory for McLaren. Lando Norris completed the podium, finishing third.

Russell’s result, while solid, didn’t come from Mercedes dominating the field—it came on a day when several top drivers, including Max Verstappen, struggled with performance and reliability issues. Verstappen, who was tipped to dominate the season yet again, could only manage sixth after battling significant balance issues. With Hamilton’s disqualification, Mercedes were effectively handed a podium without fully demonstrating race-winning pace.

Piastri’s pole-to-flag win marked a milestone in his young career, arriving in his 50th Formula One Grand Prix start. The Australian’s speed and composure under pressure have made McLaren a genuine title contender early in the 2025 campaign. Norris, meanwhile, maintained his strong form and left Bahrain leading the Drivers’ Championship by a narrow margin over his teammate.

Yet, it was the fallout from Hamilton’s exclusion that stirred the paddock most. While Ferrari admitted to being caught off guard by the wear level of the plank, team boss Fred Vasseur emphasized that the issue was not performance-enhancing but rather a result of aggressive kerb usage and an unusually bumpy track surface.

Nevertheless, the rules are black and white. Teams know that any deviation from the technical regulations—intentional or not—can result in disqualification. Mercedes, despite not being the fastest car on track, emerged with a major points boost thanks to Hamilton’s misfortune, leaving many to suggest they were lucky to escape without similar scrutiny.

The disqualification also reignited discussions around the FIA’s enforcement of plank wear rules, with some fans and pundits questioning whether tighter tolerances might be needed in future races.

As the F1 circus now heads to Australia for the third round of the championship, Ferrari will be keen to bounce back, while Mercedes will look to build on their podium—though they’ll surely be aware that their Bahrain success was as much about circumstance as it was about speed.

For Hamilton, the disqualification was a bitter pill to swallow, denying him crucial points in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive campaign. For Mercedes, it was a stroke of luck that turned an average weekend into one that looked far better on paper.