Leclerc, Hamilton, and Gasly disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix

Dominika Jordan
Mar 23, 2025, 07:34 AM ET

Three drivers disqualified from Chinese GP for car weight and skid plank breaches.

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

SHANGHAI — Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Pierre Gasly were disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix results after their cars failed post-race technical inspections.

The stewards in Shanghai conducted separate investigations which revealed Hamilton's car had excessive plank wear, while Leclerc's Ferrari and Gasly's Alpine were underweight post-race.

Formula 1 regulations dictate that cars must weigh at least 800 kilograms after fuel is drained. Both Leclerc and Gasly's cars initially appeared on the weight limit but were later found to be one kilogram under when emptied.

Leclerc's front wing, damaged in a first-lap collision with Hamilton, was replaced before weighing, yet the car still fell short of the required weight.

Hamilton's Mercedes had a worn plank, with measurements reading 8.6mm on the left and center, and 8.5mm on the right, all below the minimum 9mm mandated by Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. Plank wear is regulated to prevent cars from running too low for aerodynamic advantage.

"The plank assembly of Car 44 was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline), and 8.5mm (RHS)," the stewards stated. "This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified."

Mercedes acknowledged it was a genuine error and confirmed the accuracy of the measurement, admitting there were no mitigating circumstances.