Lewis Hamilton has lost the all-time Formula 1 record he set at the Chinese Grand Prix following a shock post-race disqualification at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The seven-time world champion had initially finished sixth in his Ferrari, but was removed from the results after technical checks.
This marks the third disqualification of the 40-year-old Briton's F1 career, following previous removals from the 2009 Australian and 2023 United States Grands Prix.
The technical infringement involved the skid-block on Hamilton's SF-25, which was found to be 0.4-0.5mm too short during routine post-race inspections.
Lewis Hamilton has lost the all-time Formula 1 record he set at the Chinese Grand Prix following a shock post-race disqualification at the Shanghai International Circuit
REUTERS
Hamilton had opted for a two-stop strategy during the race at Shanghai.
Ironically, this mirrors his disqualification at the Circuit of the Americas in 2023, where he also lost a result due to excessive wear on the skid-block of his Mercedes W14.
The Chinese GP quickly unravelled into a disaster for Ferrari, as Charles Leclerc was also disqualified after his car was found to be under the legal minimum weight of 800 kg.
Lewis Hamilton has become the first driver in F1 history to secure a win and also be disqualified in the same race weekend 🙃 pic.twitter.com/p8xzJTjVGC
— Autosport (@autosport) March 23, 2025
This marks the first time in the history of the world championship that Ferrari has had two cars disqualified from a grand prix.
The unprecedented double disqualification comes as a significant blow to the Scuderia, which has competed in Formula 1 since 1950.
With his disqualification, Hamilton also lost the fastest lap of the race he had set - a 1:35.069, which was 0.385s quicker than Lando Norris.
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This lap had given Hamilton a fastest lap for the 16th consecutive season, breaking the joint-record he held with Michael Schumacher of 15.
Hamilton's streak began at the 2010 Chinese GP, with 2009 being the only year in his career where he failed to add to his current tally of 67 fastest laps.
Alpine's Pierre Gasly was also disqualified from the Chinese GP for an underweight car, making it a race with three disqualifications in total.
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This makes the 2025 Chinese GP the first Formula 1 race since the 2004 Canadian Grand Prix to feature at least three disqualifications.
The Shanghai race will now go down in F1 history alongside these rare instances of multiple technical infringements.
At the 2004 Canadian Grand Prix, all Williams and Toyota drivers were excluded for illegal brake ducts.
Lewis Hamilton's time with Ferrari is yet to get going following his disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix
REUTERS
The last race to feature exactly three disqualifications was the 1989 Canadian GP.
On that occasion, Stefan Johansson, Nigel Mansell and Alessandro Nannini were all shown the black flag.
Hamilton now remains 10 fastest laps behind Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 77.
