Japanese Grand Prix: Leclerc and Hamilton Optimistic After Ferrari’s Double Disqualification in Shanghai
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have expressed their confidence in Ferrari’s ability to bounce back following a challenging double disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix. The disqualifications, announced after the race, dealt a significant blow to the team, with Leclerc admitting that losing valuable points “hurt the team a lot.”
Ferrari faced a mixed weekend in Shanghai, having initially celebrated a victory in Saturday’s Sprint race, led by Hamilton. However, both drivers finished the Grand Prix in fifth and sixth places, only to discover post-race that Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight, leading to his disqualification. Shortly after, Hamilton was also disqualified due to a rear skid block on his SF-25 being deemed below the minimum thickness required by regulations.
Reflecting on the setback, Leclerc acknowledged the pain of the missed points but remained hopeful. “Whenever you make mistakes, you learn from them, especially when they cost that much,” he stated. He emphasized that the team is committed to analyzing the errors and improving their processes to prevent a repeat occurrence at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton echoed Leclerc’s sentiments, commending the team for their constructive response to the disqualification. “I was really impressed with how the team digested and worked through the analysis,” he said. The seven-time world champion expressed confidence that Ferrari possesses the capabilities to resolve any issues moving forward.
As the team prepares for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, both drivers remain optimistic about their prospects for the season. Leclerc noted that, despite a difficult start, the team has room to recover and achieve their championship goals. “The season is still very long. Small steps after small steps – we can still have an amazing season,” he added.
