Drama at Chinese Gp : Ferrari face double Disqualification Following… see the details in the comment
Drama at Chinese Gp : Ferrari face double Disqualification Following… see the details in the comment
Lewis Hamilton’s highly publicized transfer to Scuderia Ferrari became one of the most dramatic stories in modern Formula One even before the partnership officially began. In 2024, Hamilton stunned the racing world when he revealed that he would leave Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team after more than a decade of success. The announcement shocked fans and even the Mercedes leadership, particularly team principal Toto Wolff. Hamilton’s decision was motivated by a long-held ambition to race for Ferrari, a dream he had spoken about throughout his career.
Hamilton had enjoyed twelve extraordinarily successful seasons with Mercedes, during which he won multiple world championships and established himself as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport. His move to Ferrari therefore represented both a personal challenge and a symbolic step in his career. For Ferrari supporters, known as the tifosi, the announcement generated enormous excitement. However, the anticipation was accompanied by a long wait, as fans had to endure an entire season before seeing Hamilton finally drive for the Italian team.
When Hamilton eventually debuted for Ferrari in 2025, expectations were extremely high. Yet the reality of his first race with the team fell short of what many had hoped. He finished in tenth place, a modest result that did little to reflect his reputation or the excitement surrounding his move. Nevertheless, Hamilton quickly demonstrated that he still possessed the ability to deliver exceptional performances. At the second round of the season he achieved a remarkable victory in the sprint race, offering hope that his transition to Ferrari might soon yield greater success.
Unfortunately, that same weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai became a turning point in Hamilton’s Ferrari journey. Following the main race, both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc were disqualified after post-race inspections revealed that the skid blocks on their cars were below the mandatory minimum thickness of 9mm. This technical infringement resulted in both Ferrari drivers being removed from the final classification, creating a major setback for the team and overshadowing Hamilton’s earlier sprint success.
The double disqualification had a significant psychological impact on Hamilton and appeared to mark a difficult phase in his relationship with Ferrari. For fans who had supported him throughout his illustrious career, this period was particularly hard to watch. At one point during the disappointing 2025 campaign, Hamilton even made remarks suggesting that Ferrari might consider replacing him if his performances failed to meet expectations. Such statements reflected the frustration and pressure that accompanied the early struggles of his Ferrari tenure.
One year later, however, the situation appears to have changed dramatically. As the 2026 season unfolds, Hamilton seems to have regained confidence and determination. Although he is now 41 years old, the seven-time world champion looks revitalized and motivated to prove that he can still compete at the highest level. Ferrari, meanwhile, is entering the new campaign with renewed optimism after spending much of the previous year promoting the potential of their 2026 project.
The early stages of the season suggest that Ferrari may be emerging as one of the strongest challengers behind Mercedes. The opening race of the year, the Australian Grand Prix, saw Mercedes secure a dominant one-two finish, giving them an early lead in the championship standings. Despite this strong start from Mercedes, Ferrari has shown impressive speed, particularly during race starts where their launch procedures have proven exceptionally effective.
At the second round in Shanghai, Ferrari once again demonstrated flashes of competitiveness. Their cars appeared capable of matching Mercedes in outright pace during certain phases of the race weekend. However, Ferrari still seems to struggle with maintaining performance over longer distances. In contrast, Mercedes has shown greater consistency and endurance during races, which allowed them to secure victory in the sprint event at the Chinese Grand Prix.
That sprint win was claimed by championship leader George Russell, whose strong form has helped Mercedes establish itself as the team to beat in the early part of the 2026 season. As the championship continues, the key question remains whether Ferrari can close the gap and sustain their competitiveness across entire race weekends. If Hamilton’s resurgence continues and Ferrari resolves its endurance issues, the team may yet turn the painful memories of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix into a defining moment that ultimately strengthens their campaign.
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