Leclerc and Gasly disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix due to technical irregularity
Despite taking fifth place at the Chinese Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc has been disqualified from the Shanghai F1 race after his SF-25 failed to comply with the technical regulations during the post-race technical inspection.
Having started the Chinese Grand Prix from P6 on the grid, Charles Leclerc gained a place at the start, overtaking reigning champion Max Verstappen into Turn 1. However, the Monegasque made contact with his new team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Turn 2, and as a result of the incident he picked up a serious damage to his front wing endplate.
Despite considering a front wing change during the pit stop, Ferrari and Leclerc elected to continue with the damaged part as a longer pit stop would have seen Leclerc fall down the order, and the sprint race saw drivers struggle to complete an overtaking move due to the overheating front tyres and turbulent wake.
In the end, the Monegasque displayed a strong pace, and finished fifth with his damaged front wing. However, the FIA noted after the race that his SF-25 was found underweight during the post-race technical investigation.
The Jo Bauer-led FIA technical group replaced Leclerc's damaged front wing with a spare part which was 0.2kg heavier, albeit his SF-25 was still one kg under the minimum weight limit after 2.0 litres of fuel were removed from the car.
The stewards have now confirmed that the Leclerc has been disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix.
The stewards noted: "The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 16 ( Charles Leclerc). Car 16 was weighed by the FIA Technical Delegate inside and outside scales with both scales showing the same result of 799 kg after the customary draining of fuel
and the replacement of a broken front wing. The calibration of both scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.
"During the hearing there was no challenge to the FIA’s measurements which are taken to be correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. There are no mitigating circumstances and that the team confirmed that it was a genuine error by them.
"The Stewards determine that Article 4.1 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.
"Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
"Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented."
Alpine's Pierre Gasly was also facing a possible disqualification after his car was one kg lighter than the minimum. The stewards have also confirmed that the Apile driver has been disqualified from the Shanghai F1 race.
"The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 10 (Pierre Gasly). Car 10 was weighed by the FIA Technical Delegate inside and outside scales with both scales showing the same result of 799 kg after the customary draining of fuel.
"The calibration of both scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. During the hearing there was no challenge to the FIA’s measurements which are taken to be correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly.
There are no mitigating circumstances and that the team confirmed that it was a genuine error by them.
"The Stewards determine that Article 4.1 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."
