Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix due to technical infringements on their Ferraris, with Hamilton’s car exhibiting excessive plank wear and Leclerc’s Ferrari found to be underweight by one kilogram. This Lewis Hamilton Ferrari disqualification impact has had lasting consequences on Ferrari’s performance throughout the season, as explained by team principal Frederic Vasseur.
Hamilton’s SF25 car failed to meet FIA regulations because the plank wear exceeded allowed limits, indicating that the car was running too low. In response, Ferrari was forced to adjust the SF25’s ride height for subsequent races, raising it by a few millimetres to avoid further penalties and disqualifications. However, these adjustments caused the team to lose valuable downforce and compromised the car’s optimal setup.
The current generation of F1 cars relies heavily on ground effect aerodynamics, and with the raised ride height restricting Ferrari’s ability to maximize this, the team found themselves at a significant disadvantage compared to rivals. Hamilton’s difficulties increased as the car’s performance deteriorated, affecting his qualifying results and race pace.
Fred Vasseur detailed how the disqualification and technical scrutiny had a profound effect on the squad’s season, stating,
“Being focused on ourselves, we lost a little bit the ground with the disqualification at the beginning. We had to take a margin. And the sensitivity of the ride height on these cars, it’s huge. Each millimetre is one position on the grid. So it means that if you start to have to be safe because you are not in full control, then it’s impacting massively the performance.” —Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
Vasseur also highlighted that the constant concern over ride height regulations distracted both drivers and engineers, impairing their focus on other critical race preparations. He added,
“It’s always a combination, because when you spend more time to deal with this, you are a bit less focused on the out-lap, on the tyre preparation, on whatever. At the end of the day, you are paying the bill.” —Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
To address the issue, Ferrari introduced a new rear suspension upgrade at the Belgian Grand Prix, designed to better control ride height and reduce plank wear. Despite this, the problems persisted, limiting the SF25’s competitiveness.
Challenges Persist for Hamilton and Leclerc After Belgian GP Upgrade
Ferrari tested the new rear suspension system at the Mugello circuit prior to the Belgian GP, aiming to resolve the ongoing ride height complications. Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton encountered major struggles at Spa-Francorchamps. He spun in the first qualifying session and failed to progress beyond Q1, marking a poor start to the weekend.
The difficulties continued at the Hungarian GP, where Hamilton again missed advancing into Q3 and finished outside the points-paying positions. Conversely, Charles Leclerc managed to claim pole position in Budapest and led the race early on. Unfortunately, his pace sharply declined after the second pit stop, dropping by over two seconds per lap, resulting in noticeable frustration expressed over the team radio.
Following the Hungarian GP, George Russell, who was trailing Leclerc during the race, speculated that Ferrari had increased tire pressures for the final stint in an attempt to limit plank wear. This compromise likely hindered Leclerc’s performance and contributed to his reduced lap times.
Implications of the Technical Setbacks on Ferrari’s Season
The combination of the Chinese GP disqualifications and the technical issues with plank wear has forced Ferrari to operate with a cautious setup that sacrifices aerodynamic grip. This has not only affected driver confidence but also weakened overall race competitiveness. Both Hamilton and Leclerc have battled to adapt to a compromised car, impacting qualifying positions and race results.
The affected ride height sensitivity has made it difficult for Ferrari to optimize the SF25, as each millimetre of adjustment translates directly into grid positions, putting the team at a significant disadvantage against their rivals. The extra focus required to manage these concerns has detracted from crucial areas such as tire management and lap preparation, compounding the challenges faced during races.
Looking ahead, Ferrari will need to continue refining their car to recover lost ground, while hoping that further upgrades can minimize the negative effects of the plank wear restrictions. The ongoing issues highlight how tightly regulated aspects of Formula 1 car design can have far-reaching impacts over an entire season, potentially shaping championship outcomes.
