Leclerc and Gasly at risk of Chinese GP disqualification for underweight cars – Autosport

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly are under investigation for their cars being underweight after Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix, risking disqualification from the race.

Leclerc finished the Shanghai race in fifth despite a broke front wing, with Gasly ending outside the points in 11th.

Afterwards both cars were weighed by FIA scrutineers, with Leclerc’s damaged front wing replaced by a spare example. With the fuel removed from their respective cars, both Leclerc’s Ferrari and Gasly’s Alpine were measured at 799kg, 1kg below the 800kg weight limit.

The matter is now referred to the FIA’s race stewards, with both drivers all but certain to face disqualification from the race.

“After the Race, car number 16 was weighed and its weight was 800.0kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1,” FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer’s report said. “As the front wing was damaged (the missing FW endplate was recovered and weighed with the car), the car was re-weighed with an official spare front wing assembly of car 16 and its weight was 800.5kg. After this, fuel was drained out of the car and 2.0 litres of fuel were removed. The car was drained according to the draining procedure submitted by the team in their legality document.

“The car was weighed again on the FIA scales (with the official spare front wing assembly of car 16) and the weight was 799.0kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. For information the spare front wing was 0.2kg heavier than the damaged one used during the race. As this is 1.0kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the Competition, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

On Gasly’s car, the FIA said: “After the Race, car number 10 was weighed and its weight was 800.0kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1. After this, a fuel mass check was carried out and 1.1kg of fuel were removed. The car was drained according to the draining procedure submitted by the team in their legality document. The car was weighed again on the FIA scales and the weight was 799.0kg. The calibration of the scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. As this is 1.0kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the Competition, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”

If Leclerc’s and Gasly’s disqualification is confirmed, Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is set to move into the points by moving up from 12th to 10th.