Chinese GP – A “genuine error” on Charles Leclerc’s SF-25: the reason for the Ferrari disqualification. A technical error on Charles Leclerc's SF-25 leads to disqualification in China.

It’s a disastrous weekend for Ferrari at the F1 Chinese GP: a double disqualification for the SF-25s of Leclerc and Hamilton. Specifically, the Monegasque’s car did not meet the minimum weight required by the regulations at the end of the race. No mitigating factors were granted by the FIA stewards, whose decision was accepted by Maranello, which now has the option to appeal.

From triumph to disaster: after winning the Sprint Race on Saturday, Ferrari ends the Chinese weekend with a double zero. Despite finishing fifth and sixth in the race—already a disappointing performance by Scuderia Ferrari’s standards—both cars failed post-race scrutineering. Different reasons, same penalty: disqualification.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton—who, interestingly, were also disqualified in Austin in 2023—leave Shanghai without points. Charles Leclerc’s car was found to be under the minimum weight allowed by FIA regulations, while the seven-time world champion’s car showed excessive skid wear, a situation that still requires further analysis.

Charles Leclerc’s disqualification: why the SF-25 did not comply with the regulations
Focusing on the Monegasque, the reasons for the disqualification are clear. At the end of the race, the SF-25 was weighed at 800 kg (the minimum allowed). After replacing the damaged front wing, the weight increased to 800.5 kg. As per regulatory procedure, 2 liters of fuel were then extracted, bringing the car’s weight down to 799 kg.

That’s 1 kg below the minimum allowed by the International Federation. Ferrari was not granted any mitigating factors, as stated in the official report: it was a “genuine error” by the team. This incident recalls George Russell‘s disqualification from the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix for the same reason.