Ferrari’s Shanghai backstory: Leclerc and Vasseur had already left when disqualification was announced. A curious anecdote shared by another F1 driver.

Everything moves fast in F1, including travel. At the moment of the disqualification, Charles Leclerc, Frédéric Vasseur, and several Ferrari engineers were already on their way out of China. This was revealed by Esteban Ocon, who happened to be on the same flight. While it was a moment of disappointment for the Maranello team, it allowed the Frenchman to secure fifth place in the race.

What happened in Shanghai could—and in many ways should—be a new beginning for Ferrari’s season. A double disqualification, for two completely different reasons, is unacceptable for a top team, especially when the declared goal for the season is to fight for both championships. It’s still early days, and giving up is not an option.

Between Japan and Bahrain, Ferrari is already planning its first updates, including a new floor that could help fine-tune the SF-25. The car is said to have enormous potential, but it still needs to be “unlocked.” If 2024 taught anything, it’s that major comebacks are possible—it’s just a matter of keeping the foot on the accelerator.

Stories from China: Charles Leclerc and Fred Vasseur Were Already Away from the Circuit When the Disqualification Came
In the fast-paced world of F1, where covering long distances quickly is a logistical necessity, life is relentless. After a Grand Prix, there’s often just enough time to speak to the media, take a quick shower, and rush to the airport. That’s exactly what some members of Scuderia Ferrari seemed to do after the Chinese GP.

Esteban Ocon shared the story in an interview with Canal+: “I was on the same plane as Charles [Leclerc], some of his engineers, and Fred Vasseur. We were all together when we found out [about the disqualification]. I shook hands with Fred and Charles and told them I felt sorry for them, but I was happy for myself!”

What went through the minds of the Ferrari crew in that moment remains unknown. But what is clear is Esteban Ocon’s joy—now in his first year with Haas—whose fifth-place finish, after the disqualifications of Leclerc and Hamilton, was a much-needed breath of fresh air.