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F1 Chinese GP RESULT: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disqualified in huge Ferrari blow
Follow updates from the Shanghai International Circuit as Ferrari are punished post-race with both of their drivers missing out on points in a huge shock
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have both been disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix in a disastrous blow for Ferrari in the second race of the 2025 season.
The cars of both drivers failed post-race checks, with Hamilton’s skid block found to be below the minimum thickness, while Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly has also been disqualified for an underweight car.
It means Hamilton and Leclerc’s points for their sixth and fifth place finish respectively – eight and 10 – are wiped from their championship tally.
Follow live updates of the Chinese Grand Prix with The Independent
Oscar Piastri after qualifying on pole:
“The car came alive in Q3 and I came alive in Q3. Even at the end laps were scruffy but pumped to be on pole.
“When you hook it up, it feels pretty mega.
“I was pretty happy after the sprint, we did the most we could of. We learned a lot this morning, looking forward to putting that to use tomorrow.”
FULL STARTING GRID FOR CHINESE GP
1. Oscar Piastri
2. George Russell
3. Lando Norris
4. Max Verstappen
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Charles Leclerc
7. Isack Hadjar
8. Kimi Antonelli
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Alex Albon
11. Esteban Ocon
12. Nico Hulkenberg
13. Fernando Alonso
14. Lance Stroll
15. Carlos Sainz
16. Pierre Gasly
17. Ollie Bearman
18. Jack Doohan
19. Gabriel Bortoleto
20. Liam Lawson
George Russell after qualifying P2:
“Feels incredible to be honest, one of the hardest quali sessions I’ve done in a long, long time. Nothing seemed to be clicking, did something different on that final lap and it worked, happy with P2.
“I had a big moment at turn 1 but it all came together, I was really surprised when I crossed the line. Buzzing, looking forward to tomorrow.”
Lando Norris unbothered about 'favourites' tag
"Makes no difference for me at the minute," he insisted, when asked about ‘favourites’ tag.
"I'm not thinking about it. I don't really care about it. It shouldn't change anything I do, it shouldn't change what the team do. I had one good weekend. People need to calm down a little bit!
"No, I stay focused and I try and do the same here this weekend. But yeah, I probably won't even think of the championship until at least halfway through the year "
George Russell on McLaren's car this year:
Russell said of McLaren before this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix: "Their car should win every race but I don't think they will win every race this year. Let's see.
"The gap they have this year on everybody is bigger than Red Bull has ever had.
“But when Max was in that [2023] car he was pretty reliable every single lap he did, every single run in Q3, throughout qualifying, never really a question."
TIMELINE: Eddie Jordan’s extraordinary career from Dublin banker to F1 team owner
Former Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan has died aged 76, his family have announced.
The Irishman revealed in December he was suffering with bladder and prostate cancer which had spread to his spine and pelvis.
A family statement, published by rugby club London Irish where Jordan was a patron, said he “passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town” on Thursday.
Eddie Jordan’s extraordinary career from Dublin banker to F1 team owner
Ralf Schumacher urges Ferrari to discipline ‘stroppy’ Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have come in for criticism from Ralf Schumacher, who urged Ferrari to “give them both a rap on the knuckles” for their attitudes during the Australian Grand Prix.
Both Ferrari cars struggled in the rain during Sunday’s race, with Ferrari opting to keep Hamilton out in the worsening conditions when most of the other cars pitted, and the seven-time champion subsequently lost the race lead when held up by a safety car and pitting afterwards.
The Brit eventually slipped to 10th and there was evident friction between him and his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, with Hamilton repeatedly telling him to “leave me to it” and swearing over the radio when told of his drop down the rankings having had the chance to win on his debut for the Scuderia.
Full piece below:
Ralf Schumacher urges Ferrari to punish ‘stroppy’ Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Formula 1 in talks over new grand prix with Stefano Domenicali ‘impressed’ by plans
A new grand prix in Bangkok could soon come to fruition after Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali paid a visit to Thailand to discuss plans.
Domenicali travelled to the Asian country in the days following last weekend’s season opener in Australia, meeting Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
There, he heard about the nation’s ambitions to stage an inaugural F1 race on its streets.
Thailand is one of several countries eager to join an already packed calendar - but with the Dutch Grand Prix’s impending departure from the schedule in 2026, there may just be space for a new race down the line.
Former Top Gear presenters lead tributes to Formula One ‘legend’ Eddie Jordan
Former Top Gear presenters have led the tributes to Eddie Jordan after his death at the age of 76.
Rory Reid described his former co-star as a “legend” while Chris Harris said the former Formula One team owner was a “pure force of nature”.
TV pundit and entrepreneur Jordan, who disclosed in December that he had been diagnosed with cancer, appeared on the BBC motoring show between 2016 and 2018.
Full piece below:
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