Lewis Hamilton made a bold statement at the Chinese Grand Prix by securing his first win with Ferrari during the sprint race. After a difficult season opener in Australia, the seven-time world champion displayed remarkable determination and confidence in Shanghai, proving he’s starting to find his rhythm with his new team.
Sprint Victory Signals a New Beginning
Hamilton showcased his skill and control in Saturday’s sprint race, dominating from pole position and leading every lap with precision. This victory marked the first sprint win for both Hamilton and Ferrari since the format’s introduction in 2021.
Addressing the skeptics who questioned his decision to join Ferrari, Hamilton said, “A lot of people underestimated how steep the climb is when joining a new team. All the critics, always yapping, clearly don’t understand how long it takes to adapt. Maybe they’ve never had to or they’re just unaware.”
The British driver also pointed out that even respected figures had been making “uneducated guesses” without a real understanding of the adjustment process.
Hamilton acknowledged that his first race in Australia didn’t go as planned, not only due to the result but also because of the ongoing effort to build rapport with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. However, in China, Hamilton took matters into his own hands, initiating setup changes early in the week.
“On Monday, I messaged Riccardo and said: ‘Here’s what I want to start with.’ That made all the difference,” Hamilton explained.
The effort paid off, as Hamilton looked much more comfortable in the car. His expert tyre management during the race earned him high praise from Adami over the team radio: “Well done, mate. A masterclass.”
Piastri Grabs Pole, Hamilton Settles for Fifth
In the qualifying session for Sunday’s main race, Oscar Piastri stole the spotlight. The Australian driver claimed his first-ever Formula 1 pole position with two flawless laps in his McLaren.
George Russell showcased Mercedes’ strength by securing second place, followed by Lando Norris in third. Max Verstappen managed fourth, while Hamilton ended up qualifying fifth, just three-tenths off pole position after some minor setup tweaks made the Ferrari trickier to handle.
Hamilton remained optimistic despite the setback. “This is part of the learning process,” he noted, indicating his focus on long-term progress.
Piastri, meanwhile, was delighted with his achievement, stating, “When you hook it up, it feels incredible. Clean air will help a lot tomorrow.”
Norris Faces Struggles, Red Bull’s Lawson Disappoints
Lando Norris, a strong title contender after his victory in Melbourne, experienced more struggles. He made a costly error during sprint qualifying, starting sixth, and only managed to finish eighth after going off-track. His performance in GP qualifying was also disappointing, with an aborted final flying lap placing him in third.
Despite the difficulties, Norris remains a contender thanks to McLaren’s promising race pace.
Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc qualified sixth for Ferrari, while Liam Lawson endured a tough session, ending up 20th for Red Bull due to tire temperature issues.
Other Notable Qualifying Positions:
- Isack Hadjar (7th)
- Kimi Antonelli (8th)
- Yuki Tsunoda (9th)
- Alex Albon (10th)
- Esteban Ocon (11th)
- Nico Hülkenberg (12th)
- Fernando Alonso (13th)
- Lance Stroll (14th)
- Carlos Sainz (15th)
- Pierre Gasly (16th)
- Ollie Bearman (17th)
- Jack Doohan (18th)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (19th)
For Hamilton, this sprint win was more than just a boost in points. It was a clear message to his critics that he is finding his footing with Ferrari. The journey is far from over, but his progress is undeniable.