Breaking: FIA Confirms Double Disqualification for Lewis Hamilton after…read more
FIA Confirms Double Disqualification for Lewis Hamilton at Chinese GP: Fallout Still Haunting Ferrari
The repercussions of Ferrari’s double disqualification at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix are still echoing through the Formula 1 paddock, and according to Sky Sports F1 pundit Ted Kravitz, Lewis Hamilton might be feeling the brunt of it. What initially seemed like a one-time misjudgment by the team has now potentially triggered deeper issues affecting both performance and confidence, especially for the seven-time world champion.
Back in March, the Chinese Grand Prix brought what looked like a much-needed boost for Ferrari. Both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc finished inside the points, hinting at a resurgence for the Italian outfit after a shaky start to the season. But that spark of optimism was quickly extinguished. Post-race checks by the FIA revealed that both Ferrari cars had violated technical regulations—specifically related to car weight and, more notably, excessive plank wear, which is a more serious infraction.
The disqualification was a massive blow. It not only wiped out their points haul from the weekend but also handed the team a public embarrassment. Ferrari responded quickly, launching an internal investigation and pledging to prevent similar mistakes in the future. Team officials issued sincere apologies to fans, acknowledging the emotional and competitive toll of the incident.
Since then, Lewis Hamilton has been vocal about his puzzling lack of performance. Despite maintaining his usual rigorous work ethic, Hamilton has consistently finished races far from the front, expressing confusion over the car’s underwhelming form. In interviews, he’s admitted that since the Shanghai race, he simply hasn’t felt competitive—and he doesn’t understand why.
Ted Kravitz may have an answer. Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Kravitz highlighted a possible technical adjustment made by Ferrari that could explain the slump. “The disqualification, especially due to plank wear, likely forced Ferrari to change their setup,” he explained. “They’ve probably raised the car’s ride height to avoid the same issue happening again.”
Running a Formula 1 car lower to the ground increases aerodynamic efficiency, which can significantly improve lap times. However, there are strict FIA regulations about plank wear to ensure safety and fairness. In China, Ferrari likely pushed the limits too far. Now, fearing a repeat of the scandal, they might be playing it safe—too safe.
This setup compromise could be what’s holding the team back. Kravitz pointed out that Hamilton himself alluded to the issue, noting that performance dipped sharply after the Chinese Grand Prix. “It could be that simple,” said Kravitz. “They’re scared of getting disqualified again, so they’ve sacrificed their optimal setup.”
If Kravitz is correct, Ferrari’s current woes may stem less from lack of development and more from a fear of regulatory missteps. In a sport where fractions of a second determine race results, raising the car even slightly can be the difference between a podium finish and mid-field obscurity.
As Ferrari chases redemption and tries to get back into championship contention, this lingering caution could be their biggest obstacle. For Hamilton, the quest for answers—and pace—continues.
