Hamilton questions Ferrari’s 'premature' rear wing decision at Chinese GP

Photo: Race Pictures

20:01, 13 Mar

byOlly Darcy

Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari's move to the 'Macarena' rear wing at the Chinese Grand Prix was "maybe a little bit premature".

"I don't really know why we went back on it."

- Lewis Hamilton

GPblog confirmed that the Scuderia would be bringing the brand-new wing to the Shanghai International Circuit as well after the invention surprised many in pre-season testing.

However, after it was used in FP1, Ferrari reverted to its original wing that was used at the Australian Grand Prix.

That saw Hamilton take P4 just behind Norris during Sprint Qualifying, and the seven-time World Champion was a bit confused as to why the new rear wing was brought to China

Lewis Hamilton finished ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc in Sprint Qualifying, who could only come P6 - Photo: Race Pictures

"I don't really know why we went back on it," the 41-year-old said to F1 TV after Friday's proceedings in Shanghai.

"We rushed it to get it here, and it was not supposed to be on the cars until race four or five, or something like that.

"So they did a great job to rush it here, and we only had two of them. It was maybe a little bit premature, so we took it off. The car was still great and we'll work to bring it back when it's ready."

Russell dominating proceedings so far

At the front of the grid, Hamilton admitted that a lot more work will need to be done by him and his Ferrari team if they want to catch Mercedes.

After George Russell underlined his and his team's championship credentials in 2026 with a superb win at the Australian Grand Prix, that impressive pace continued in Shanghai.

The Brit topped the timing sheets in FP1 after a chaotic session, and then in Sprint Qualifying, three-tenths was the gap between him and the rest of the field after taking P1.