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Ferrari began the Chinese Grand Prix from the third row with Charles Leclerc starting sixth and Lewis Hamilton fifth. Despite their initial grid positions, the outcome did not favor the Maranello-based team. The only change at the finish line was the swap between the two drivers, with Leclerc ultimately finishing ahead of Hamilton.
Double Disqualification for Ferrari
Following these incidents, in post-race investigations, the FIA uncovered various infractions leading to the disqualification of both Leclerc and Hamilton. The stewards saw Leclerc's car as underweight and deemed Hamilton's car to be in breach of the regulations because the floor skid was excessively worn. The double disqualification thus spelled disaster for Ferrari in the Shanghai race.
Contact at Turn 2 and Leclerc's Damage
The race started getting interesting with Leclerc-Hamilton contact at Turn 2 very early on. The incident damaged Leclerc's front wing, costing him 20-30 points of aerodynamic load. The Ferrari pit wall, now sensing that Leclerc was faster than Hamilton, instructed Hamilton to let Leclerc pass after the first pit stop.
Leclerc's Duel with Russell and Verstappen's Late Charge
There Leclerc found himself embroiled in a titanic tussle against George Russell from Mercedes for third place. But although he tried his best, he couldn't escape from Russell and eventually succumbed to the late charge of Max Verstappen, destroying any possibility of third and sending him down to fourth place.
Fred Vasseur Expresses Frustration Over Hamilton’s Pace
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur reflected on a perplexing Sunday for his team. Speaking to Sky Sports, Vasseur acknowledged Leclerc’s struggles after the damage but was critical of Hamilton’s performance.
“Leclerc couldn’t do more with the damage he had, and surely we could have done more without that setback. We didn’t get the maximum,” Vasseur commented. “Lewis Hamilton’s race is harder to explain, especially after his great pace in yesterday’s Sprint. Today he struggled much more.”
Hamilton’s Two-Stop Strategy Under Scrutiny
Ferrari’s decision to opt for a two-stop strategy for Hamilton also raised questions. Vasseur explained the rationale behind the strategy:
“The decision to make two stops with Hamilton? It seemed the safest choice at that point in the race given the degradation he had. No one had used the hard tires all weekend, so we were all guessing.”
Impact of Car Height and Fuel Load
Vasseur also addressed concerns about potential changes to the car’s height with a full fuel load. He concluded by saying, “Did we suffer from having to raise the car with a full fuel load? We’re talking about millimeters, and everyone does it.”
A Tough Weekend for Ferrari
Despite high expectations, Ferrari’s weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix ended in disappointment. With two disqualifications and uncharacteristic struggles from Hamilton, the team now faces the challenge of regrouping and preparing for the upcoming races.
