Ferrari have explained why Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix almost three hours after the chequered flag in astonishing fashion.
In just his second race for Ferrari since his move from Mercedes, the seven-time world champion was excluded from the final race classification.
Now, the Prancing Horse have explained that his expulsion was due to a ‘genuine error’ made by the team.
A statement on Hamilton’s dismissal from FIA stewards read: ‘The stewards heard from the team representative of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton).
‘The plank assembly of Car 44 was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS).
‘This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.
Ferrari have explained why Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix just hours after the chequered flag in astonishing fashion
In just his second race for Ferrari since his move from Mercedes, the seven-time world champion was excluded from the final race classification
‘During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly.
‘The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.’
The seven-time world champion had finished sixth in a race won by Oscar Piastri, but will now be stripped of his eight points.
Hamilton’s team-mate Charle Leclerc was also expelled from the rankings, having finished a place higher than Hamilton for driving an underweight car.
The decision marks the first time in the history of Formula One that both Ferrari drivers have been disqualified from the same race.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who was 11th, was also thrown out for the same reason as Leclerc.
Speaking immediately following the race Hamilton expressed his disappointment with the car’s performance.
‘I feel okay. I wasn’t able to get the result that I was hoping for today,’ he said on Sunday.
The Prancing Horse have explained that his expulsion was due to a ‘genuine error’ made by the team
‘I needed a good start – which I got – [and] I was trying to see if I could pounce forwards but I just didn’t have the pace of the cars up ahead.
‘And just balance-wise, from the Sprint race we made these changes and the car was terrible after that, so I really struggled with the car from then on.’
Leclerc learned his fate in the paddock first, and was disqualified with stewards noting that there were ‘no mitigating circumstances’ and that Ferrari confirmed that it was a ‘genuine error’ on their behalf.
Confirmation of Gasly’s disqualification followed minutes later.
