Breaking: FIA Double Disqualification for Lewis Hamilton following M…read more
FIA Double Disqualification Still Affecting Hamilton and Ferrari After Chinese GP Blow
The aftermath of Ferrari’s double disqualification at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix continues to ripple through the Formula 1 world, and according to Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz, Lewis Hamilton may be one of the hardest-hit by the incident. What was initially perceived as a one-off technical oversight has now potentially developed into a larger issue affecting car performance, strategy, and team morale—especially for the seven-time world champion.
The Chinese Grand Prix in March had originally provided a promising glimpse of recovery for Ferrari. Both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc had secured strong points finishes, seemingly signaling a return to form for the Scuderia after a rocky season start. However, their progress was swiftly undone when post-race FIA inspections found both cars in violation of technical regulations—specifically concerning car weight and, more significantly, excessive plank wear, a breach that is treated as a serious offense in F1.
This double disqualification not only erased the team’s hard-earned points from the race but also brought with it a wave of public criticism and embarrassment. Ferrari quickly launched an internal review and issued apologies to fans and stakeholders, vowing to tighten quality controls and prevent a repeat of the incident. Despite their proactive response, the impact of the disqualification appears to be more than just a statistical setback.
Lewis Hamilton has since voiced concerns about his lack of competitiveness following the Shanghai race. Despite his continued dedication and work ethic, his results have failed to reflect his usual caliber. Hamilton has openly admitted to feeling disconnected from the car, puzzled by a sudden drop in performance that began after the disqualification.
Ted Kravitz has offered a possible explanation. On the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Kravitz suggested that Ferrari may have responded to the disqualification by altering the car’s ride height to avoid further scrutiny over plank wear. “Ferrari probably raised the ride height as a precaution,” Kravitz noted. “It’s a simple fix to ensure compliance with FIA rules, but it comes at a performance cost.”
In Formula 1, a lower ride height improves aerodynamics and increases downforce, which helps reduce lap times. However, pushing the car too low risks violating plank wear regulations, as Ferrari found out in China. Now, in an effort to play it safe, the team might have compromised their ideal setup.
Kravitz emphasized that this cautious approach could be directly affecting both Hamilton’s and Leclerc’s pace. Hamilton himself hinted at this in recent interviews, pointing out that his performance notably dropped off after the Chinese Grand Prix. “They don’t want another disqualification,” Kravitz said, “so they’re sacrificing the car’s peak performance.”
If this theory holds true, Ferrari’s struggle may not be due to a lack of innovation or development, but rather a fear of stepping over the line again. In a sport defined by fine margins, even a small setup change can mean the difference between leading the pack and languishing in the midfield.
As the season progresses, Ferrari will need to strike a delicate balance between compliance and competitiveness. For Hamilton, the search for speed—and answers—continues.
