Italian media has reacted with shock after the disqualification of Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc from the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton’s disqualification was due to a miscalculation resulting in the skid block undersized by 0.5mm, while Leclerc was found to be 1kg lighter than the required minimum weight. This lightweight issue was attributed to unexpected tyre wear after the team executed only one pitstop during the race.
The disqualifications marked a historic first for Ferrari in Formula 1’s 75-year history, prompting headlines of turmoil in the team. Notable criticism came from former driver Ralf Schumacher, who labelled the situation as “incompetence,” suggesting the engineering team should have predicted the skid block’s wear based on its visible condition after the sprint race prior.
The strict FIA regulations left no room for leniency despite acknowledging the team’s errors. Ferrari accepted the ruling and expressed commitment to investigate the situation to prevent future mistakes, assuring fans of their ongoing support.
This incident adds to Ferrari’s legacy of strategic blunders and mishaps, often scrutinised by the Italian press and fans. Historical lapses include the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, where Felipe Massa left the pits with a fuel hose attached, and the 2017 race where both Vettel and Raikkonen exited due to a collision directly linked to miscommunication in handling a wet start.
The 2019 Monaco Grand Prix saw Leclerc fail to progress to Q2, despite showing promising pace throughout the weekend, as Ferrari chose not to send him back out in time for another lap. Additionally, the disastrous 2022 season for Ferrari showcased consistent errors, including failing to optimise pit strategies and mismanaging race conditions, leading to multiple lost opportunities.
As Ferrari seeks to recover from this latest mishap, fans are left wondering if the relentless pressure of their storied history contributes to these recurring challenges. With promises of thorough investigations, only time will tell if Ferrari can rise from this latest chaos and return to form.