Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification sparks FIA rule change debate and raises Ferrari concerns

Just as things were starting to look up for Lewis Hamilton following his surprise Sprint win at the Chinese Grand Prix, a double disqualification for he and his team-mate quickly followed after the main Grand Prix.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo delves into the aftermath of the disqualifications, examining the FIA’s controversial technical regulations, Ferrari’s internal challenges, and what this means for Hamilton’s ongoing season.

FIA rules under scrutiny after Hamilton’s disqualification

Lewis Hamilton’s recent disqualification from the Chinese GP has ignited a debate about the rigidity of the FIA’s technical regulations, with calls for potential rule adjustments.

The seven-time world champion was stripped of his sixth-place finish after his car’s skid block was found to be excessively worn - just 0.5mm below the minimum thickness required by Article 3.5.9 of the FIA’s technical regulations.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also faced disqualification, with Leclerc’s car weighing in 1kg under the limit.

Calls for more lenient penalties

Former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux has been vocal about his belief that such strict penalties are unnecessarily harsh for minor infractions.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arnoux stated:

“There was clearly no intention to cheat. If the car had been significantly underweight or if the irregularity was more extreme, we could discuss it.

“But this? We are talking about trivial details, likely accidental.”

Arnoux suggested that instead of an immediate disqualification, teams should receive a warning for minor infractions, with harsher penalties imposed only for repeated offenses.

“A disqualification is too severe, especially when it impacts the entire championship, not just the driver and team involved,” he argued.

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Hamilton loses more than just points

Beyond the loss of championship points, Hamilton’s disqualification also stripped him of a notable record.

Having won the sprint race on Saturday - his first victory as a Ferrari driver - his sixth-place finish in the main race initially secured him the DHL Fastest Lap award.

However, the post-race penalty meant he lost both the points and the record.

Ferrari facing internal challenges

The controversy has also placed Ferrari under scrutiny, with concerns over how repeated missteps might affect Hamilton’s confidence in the team.

Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins, formerly an Aston Martin strategist, compared Hamilton’s situation to that of Sebastian Vettel when he joined Aston Martin.

“When Vettel arrived, I wanted him to trust that we knew what we were doing, so he would follow our calls without hesitation,” Collins explained.

Collins warned that Ferrari’s recent issues - including strategy miscalculations in Melbourne, radio miscommunications, and now the disqualification - could erode Hamilton’s trust in the team.

“Lewis [Hamilton] was struggling in the car, and then it turned out to be illegal. He made set-up changes that didn’t react as expected, which left him off the pace.

“It’s a bump in the road, but if these small issues keep stacking up, they contribute to a lack of trust,” she added.

What’s next for Hamilton and Ferrari?

As the debate over FIA regulations continues, teams and drivers will be hoping for greater clarity on how technical infringements are handled.

Whether the governing body will reconsider its approach remains to be seen, but for now, Hamilton and Ferrari must regroup as they prepare for the next race.

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