Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix in a huge embarrassment for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc also disqualified.
The Ferrari duo’s cars were found to be in breach of the regulations following the race and an investigation was launched. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who finished 11th, has also been disqualified.
Hamilton, who finished P6, and Leclerc P5, have been stripped of their respective finishes and World Championship points.
Leclerc and Gasly’s cars were measured at 799.0kg on the official FIA scales following assessment in Parc Ferme.
While Hamilton’s No.44 Ferrari was found to have skid blocks worn below the 9mm thickness allowed within the regulation. According to a report from the FIA, Hamilton’s skid blocks measured between 8.5mm and 8.6mm.
Meanwhile, Leclerc suffered bodywork damage when he lost an end plate off his front wing following an opening lap collision with Hamilton. However, that damage was immaterial to the case, with the car weighed with a new Ferrari front wing attached.
A document released by F1 following the hearing said: “The plank assembly of Car 44 (Hamilton) was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS). This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.
“During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.
“The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement.”
More to follow…
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