Lewis Hamilton is facing possible disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix for running his Ferrari too low to the ground.
Despite an impressive showing in Saturday’s Sprint marked his first victory since his high-profile move from Mercedes, Hamilton once again struggled on Sunday.
In Shanghai the 40-year-old could be heard clashing with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, and had to make way to let his team-mate Charles Leclerc through en route to a sixth-placed finish.
The seven-time world champion has been summoned to the stewards in the Shanghai paddock to answer the charge. Ferrari officials accompanied him to the hearing.
His team-mate Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly were also facing likely disqualification – for driving underweight cars.
Leclerc learned his fate first, and was disqualified with stewards noting that there were ‘no mitigating circumstances’ with Ferrari confirming that it was a ‘genuine error’.
Confirmation of Gasly’s disqualification followed minutes later.
Hamilton, however, is in breach of a technical directive (TD), which is less binding and may escape with a lesser sanction.
He may escape with a lesser punishment, having finished sixth in a race won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Leclerc finished 5th and Gasly 11th.
A verdict is expected at early lunchtime GMT.
More to follow