REVIEW – The Chinese Grand Prix: Another Ferrari disaster-class after both cars get disqualified
This morning marked the second race in the 2025 Formula One season. The Chinese Grand Prix was another thriller with McLaren securing a 1-2 in the process. George Russel in the Mercedes completed the podium. Both the Ferraris were disqualified.
The Australian Oscar Piastri bounced back from his disastrous weekend last week by securing this week’s victory. Lando Norris came in second, making it McLaren’s 50th 1-2 finish. George completed the podium after dropping off at the start of the race. Both Brits have been on the podium in the first two race weekends of the Formula 1 season.
A Ferrari disaster-class
The biggest news of the race arguably came after it. Both Ferraris were disqualified for technical infringements.
Both the Monegasque, Leclerc, for Ferrari and the Frenchman, Gasly, for Alpine were found to have cars that were underweight in post-race checks. Both cars were weighed at 800 kilos originally, but after removing the fuel from the cars, they both ended up at 799 kilos. This is one kilo under the required weight.
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Hamilton’s Ferrari was disqualified after its rear skid blocks on his car were found to be under the minimum thickness required. This was a bummer, after the Brit had secured his maiden Sprint win just the day before.
Leclerc and the seven time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, scored relatively well with a 5th and 6th finish respectively, this would have amounted to a total of 18 points. Both cars not scoring a single point is another blow to Ferrari’s campaign, which has not been a smooth ride.
Who wins and who loses?
The Chinese Grand Prix had some clear winners and losers.
McLaren scored big, bringing in a grand total of 43 points. But it wasn’t the only team to have a double points finish.
Both Haas and Williams managed to get two drivers in the points after Ferrari’s disqualification. With Esteban Ocon getting a respectable 5th place finish for the Haas F1 Team. It is the first time the Frenchman scored points for the American outfit.
Also Mercedes scored well with George Russel on the Podium and the team’s 18 year old Rookie Kimi Antonelli in 6th place. The young Italian also managed to secure Driver of the Day, after getting the points while driving with a damaged car.
Both Red Bull and Racing Bulls had disappointing weekends. Max Verstappen managed to secure fourth place, after the Dutchman made a comback after a difficult afternoon. The kiwi, Liam Lawson finished twelfth and well off the pace of his team mate. The French Isack Hadjar and Japanese Yuki Tsunoda finished outside of the points for Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team.
Aston Martin had a mixed weekend, getting points with Canadian Lance Stroll in ninth place while the Spanish two time World Champion, Fernando Alonso, his brakes caught fire in the beginning of the race.
The Kick Sauber team again lacked pace, not securing a single point this weekend.
Next up: The Japanese Grand Prix
Text: Aagje Van Raemdonck
Photo: Jonathan Borba via Pexels