Lewis Hamilton Admits Costly Mistake After Ferrari Disqualification

Lewis Hamilton Admits Costly Mistake After Ferrari Disqualification at Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged a critical error made by his team after he was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix due to excessive wear on his car’s skid blocks.

The seven-time world champion had initially crossed the finish line in sixth place, a result that was already underwhelming considering his impressive victory in the sprint race earlier that weekend. However, post-race inspections by the FIA revealed that his car did not comply with the regulations, leading to his disqualification.

Reflecting on the issue, Hamilton admitted that Ferrari failed to make the necessary adjustments to his car’s ride height following the sprint race. This oversight ultimately led to the excessive wear on the skid blocks, resulting in his exclusion from the final classification. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 before the disqualification was announced, Hamilton explained:

“We made other changes, but we didn’t raise the car in a huge way. Putting all the things together, it was worse. Leclerc tested some things in Bahrain that I hadn’t tested, and we both went down that path, which didn’t go well.”

Hamilton’s comments suggest that Ferrari had a chance to anticipate the issue, especially given the ride height data from the sprint race. However, the team did not take significant steps to prevent the problem, ultimately leading to a costly penalty.

The disqualification added to Ferrari’s woes, as Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, also suffered the same fate. However, Leclerc’s disqualification stemmed from a different issue—his car was found to be underweight following post-race checks. Initially finishing fifth, Leclerc lost all his points from the main race, compounding Ferrari’s difficult start to the season.

As a result of these penalties, Ferrari slipped further in the constructors’ standings, currently sitting in fifth place. Hamilton’s sprint race victory provided the only notable highlight of the weekend for the Italian team, but their overall performance remains a cause for concern.

The setbacks for Ferrari were part of a broader wave of post-race disqualifications. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was also removed from the final standings after his car was found to be underweight during FIA’s routine inspections. These penalties reshuffled the final race results and provided unexpected boosts to other teams.

Ferrari’s decision not to adjust Hamilton’s ride height after the sprint race may go down as a major missed opportunity. Given the demanding nature of the Shanghai International Circuit and the data available from the shorter sprint event, the team might have been able to prevent the skid block wear that led to Hamilton’s exclusion.

This latest incident highlights the fine margins in Formula 1, where minor technical infringements can lead to devastating consequences. For Hamilton and Ferrari, the Chinese Grand Prix will serve as a lesson in precision and preparation as they look to recover in the upcoming races.

With two races completed, Ferrari faces an uphill battle to compete with Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. While Hamilton’s sprint race win showcased his potential, the main event’s outcome revealed the team’s ongoing struggles with consistency and decision-making.

As the season progresses, Ferrari will need to refine their approach to car setup and strategy if they hope to challenge for podiums and race wins. Meanwhile, Hamilton remains focused on overcoming these early setbacks, eager to add more victories to his illustrious career.