Ferrari F1 star among two facing shock FIA disqualification at Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc — Photo: © IMAGO

Chinese Grand Prix

Ferrari F1 star among two facing shock FIA disqualification at Chinese Grand Prix

There's been some drama after the chequered flag in Shanghai

Chris Deeley

Sunday 23 March 2025 11:55 Updated: 16:28

Two Formula 1 drivers are staring down the barrel of a shock disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix, after the race has finished.

OFFICIAL: FIA announce disqualification verdict for THREE F1 drivers at Chinese Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly's cars have now been through post-race scrutineering and have been found to be lighter than allowed by F1 regulations.

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Both cars were measured at 799.0kg on the official FIA scales after being drained of fuel, with two litres coming out of Leclerc's Ferrari and 1.1kg coming out of Gasly's Alpine.

The fact that Leclerc finished the race sans his left front wing end plate is immaterial in this case, with the car being weighed with an official spare Ferrari front wing being attached.

Will Charles Leclerc be disqualified in China?

A steward's statement noted: "The car was weighed again on the FIA scales (with the offical [sic] spare front wing assembly of car 16) and the weight was 799.0 kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. For information the spare front wing was 0.2 kg heavier than the damaged one used during the race."

There is recent precedent for a driver being disqualified from a race outright for an underweight car, with George Russell being stripped of a remarkable race win in Spa less than 12 months ago for his car coming in 1.5kg under the minimum allowance.

A disqualification would come as more of a blow to Leclerc than Gasly, with the Monegasque in danger of losing his 10 points for a fifth place finish, while Gasly himself finished just outside the points in 11th.

The driver who stands to catapult up into the points is Lance Stroll, who came in behind Gasly in 12th place but would be bumped up to 10th if both men are disqualified.

The FIA have now issued their verdict, with three F1 stars disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix.

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Charles Leclerc George Russell Lance Stroll Pierre Gasly Chinese Grand Prix