Italian media lash out at 'chaotic' Ferrari

For a short while, there would have been a reasonable degree of satisfaction inside Ferrari after Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished the Chinese Grand Prix fifth and sixth respectively.

That satisfaction, though, quickly turned into anger and embarrassment after both drivers were disqualified for different technical infringements. No wonder then the Italian newspapers have turned on their beloved Scuderia.

'Red alert already: Ferrari, no more mistakes allowed', screamed the headline in the Gazzetta dello Sport.

As for what followed, no punches were pulled - "From Lewis Hamilton's first win in the sprint race to a double disqualification that tastes like a fool's errand. Ferrari, over the weekend in Shanghai, really went from stars to dust.

"What happened yesterday after the race, when Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were excluded from the standings for technical irregularities, was one of the ugliest pages in the history of the Prancing Horse.

"Suddenly, all the joy for Hamilton's first win in red in the mini GP the day before was erased. It's as if that unexpected shot by Sir Lewis was another illusion to add to the enormous betrayed expectations of the winter."

The paper additionally said it was "chaos" at Ferrari, adding that the team had "no choice but to apologise to its fans".

It further noted that "Up front, it was the Formula McLaren show. They are already 50 points ahead! [of Ferrari]", suggesting that winner Oscar Piastri "is ready for a big year".

As for Red Bull, it claimed the team's situation was "a nightmare" in considering replacing Liam Lawson. Verstappen, meanwhile, was praised for his performance.

"Verstappen's overtaking manoeuvre on Leclerc was like a fairy tale," it wrote. "Red Bull is struggling, but the Dutchman continues to get results. However, everyone can see that he has to drive around the problems of the car to achieve them."

Corriere dello Sport described Ferrari's situation as "a disaster", and that it was "a black day in China".

It added: "No less than two disqualifications for the Scuderia. And for two different reasons. That, too, after a mediocre race that hits hard. McLaren won't care, they drove the perfect race. Behind [George] Russell, Verstappen finished fourth, again limiting the damage."

Corriere della Sera said the disqualifications for Ferrari were "an embarrassment" and "a performance to be ashamed of".

It claimed that "a big change will have to be made to get close to McLaren again - the team that grabbed its 50th double [one-two], with supremacy."