Did Max Verstappen escape DQ at the Chinese GP? New Footage sparks doubts!

The recently concluded F1 Chinese Grand Prix was boring and tiring for the fans as the race was a game of strategy and survival. Only limited action happened on the track as drivers were careful in managing their tyres. But the interesting part came after the race was completed when the FIA announced that Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly were all disqualified from the race after post-race checkups. 

The two Ferrari drivers finished inside the points table at P5 and P6, now they lost all the points they had scored for the team. Ferrari also went down the constructors championship points table behind Williams. Now, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Williams are the top four teams.

With the two Ferrari drivers disqualified, Esteban Ocon is now leading the driver's points table as the number 1 Ferrari-powered driver for the Haas F1 team. This was completely unexpected as many fans thought this would be a dream season for Hamilton and Ferrari. Everything is now going out of control for the Maranello-based team, and they have to regroup immediately to turn things around.

Did Max Verstappen Trick the FIA?

At the Chinese GP, Max Verstappen deliberately drove over the grass on his way to the pits to add extra weight.

Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly were disqualified for being underweight in the same race.#f1#formula1#sportsinfoxtreme#ChineseGP#CharlesLeclerc#MaxVerstappenpic.twitter.com/QhIbgIq7si

— SportsInfo Xtreme (@Sportsinfo22073) March 26, 2025

But why is Max Verstappen in this hot topic? It is because new video footage has emerged all over the internet showing Max Verstappen deliberately running on the grass and gravel before entering the pit lane post-race. Running into the gravel adds more weight to the car, and in the post-race checkup, the F1 cars should bear a minimum weight.

While Hamilton was disqualified for having less thickness under the body, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly were disqualified as their cars' weights were below the required level. Many people say Max Verstappen will find loopholes in the FIA regulations and do everything within the rules. This new footage shows him running into the gravel before the post-race weight checkup. We don't know the reason behind that and are waiting to for the answers.

Formula 1 cars are prone to extra weights, so every F1 team want to keep their car's weight to a minimum to go quick. But FIA rules say each F1 car should have a minimum weight of 800 kilos without including the driver. Leclerc and Gasly’s car were just 1 kg underweight and were disqualified from the race. Pierre Gasly finished outside the points table, so it's no big issue. But Leclerc and Hamilton were P5 and P6. It will have a big impact on them and their team, Ferrari. 

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