Ferrari need restart after unwanted surprise in Shanghai

Hamilton's sprint victory had raised hopes but double disqualification brings up thorny questions for Scuderia

- Giles Richards

Before the Formula One season began Lewis Hamilton had taken his motorhome to Ferrari's Maranello factory, living alongside his new colleagues in order to bond with them and better learn their methodologies in an effort to make his transition into the Scuderia as seamless as possible.

After he and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, were disqualified from Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, he may have to consider taking up residence again, as a rocked Ferrari deal with a disheartening opening to the season.

Ferrari have never suffered a double disqualification before in the 75 years they have participated in F1, an embarrassment to which they held up their hands. They conceded that the skid block on the floor of Hamilton's car had been worn 0.5mm below the limit, while Leclerc's ride was 1kg below the minimum weight requirement. They said it was "genuine error" and a "mistake" they would endeavour not to repeat.

What made the events even more striking was the extraordinary turnaround they represented; that what had started so well could come clattering down about their ears with such calamity. Hamilton had taken pole and the win in the sprint race on Saturday with absolute elation at his first success with the team. Finally, here was the Ferrari that had been expected this season, a competitive car mixing at the very front.