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31 Mar 2025 19:04
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  •   Home > News > Motoring

    Oscar Piastri wins Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly disqualified

    Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri converted his maiden grand prix pole position into victory, while three of his rivals were stunningly disqualified post-race.


    Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri converted his maiden grand prix pole position into victory, while three of his rivals were stunningly disqualified post-race. 

    The McLaren driver was flawless in Shanghai to win the Chinese Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Lando Norris and Mercedes driver George Russell.

    The win means McLaren, last year's constructors champions, have triumphed in the first two grands prix of the season, after Lando Norris claimed victory last Sunday in Melbourne.

    Meanwhile, it was a disastrous afternoon for McLaren's rivals Ferrari, with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton being disqualified from the race, after finishing fifth and six.

    At the front of the grid, Piastri was all smiles as he was embraced by McLaren CEO Zak Brown following his terrific performance. 

    After making a mistake which cost him a podium finish in his hometown one week earlier, Piastri was outstanding all weekend in Shanghai.

    "Mega job, guys. Mega, mega job," Piastri said over his team radio after the chequered flag.

    "Thank you very much. The car was very lovely; great team effort. That is one satisfying weekend."

    The Australian did not get the fastest start off the line, but he was able to squeeze Russell and maintain the lead at the first corner and Norris jumped into second as Russell was compromised at the apex.

    World champion Max Verstappen dropped from fourth to sixth off the start, getting jumped by both Ferraris.

    Piastri took full advantage of clean air in the opening laps, maintaining a lead over Norris as all drivers managed tyre wear on a track that produces high degradation.

    Piastri pitted from the lead at the end of 14 laps, along with Russell from third, while Norris had to wait until the end of the next lap for new tyres.

    Piastri maintained the net lead of the race, while Norris was overtaken by Russell, who took full advantage of an extra lap with fresh rubber.

    Norris was able to retake the position from Russell a couple of laps later.

    But by the time he had achieved that and overtaken the Williams of Alex Albon, who had not pitted, Piastri had established a lead of more than four seconds on lap 20 of 56.

    It became clear just stopping once was the correct strategy, when many believed two stops would be needed on Sunday. 

    Hamilton, before his disqualification, pitted for a second time with the expectation he would be able to chase down his rivals who were on older tyres. 

    That did not eventuate and world champion Vertsappen proved to be one of the fastest on track late in the race, overtaking Charles Leclerc to claim fourth. 

    Meanwhile, in front, Piastri was cool and measured. The Australian's advantage never dipped below two seconds to Norris.

    The Brit started to struggle on lap 43, with his lap times slowing and taking the pressure off Piastri.

    Norris was complaining of a brake issue, allowing Piastri to control his pace and guide his way to victory. 

    Both Ferrari drivers and Gasly disqualified

    Leclerc and Alpine's Pierre Gasly's cars were both found to be one kilogram under the minimum weight requirement of 800kg.

    Meanwhile, Hamilton was removed from the classified finishers after it was determined the rear skid block on his car was below the minimum thickness required by the sport's technical regulations.

    The report from FIA F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer for Leclerc and Gasly found both cars were legal when first weighed but after two litres of fuel was removed — as per the regulations — the cars fell below the 800kg benchmark.

    For Hamilton, his rear skid block was thinner than nine millimetres on inspection.

    The rear skid block, also known as a plank, is a mandatory part on the underside of the car that regulates the ride height of an F1 car.

    The rear skid block will often come into contact with the ground during a grand prix, wearing away at its thickness.

    But it cannot wear away to less than nine millimetres in thickness, which is what Hamilton's plank had done.

    "The plank assembly of Car 44 was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS). This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations," the steward's report said.

    "During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly."

    The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.

    "The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement."

    Leclerc crossed the line fifth, ahead of teammate Hamilton in sixth, while Gasly was out of the points positions in 11th.

    The change in classification now means Esteban Ocon finished fifth for Haas, a remarkable result for the team.

    Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was sixth, then Alex Albon (Williams), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Carlos Sainz (Williams).

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

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