Oscar Piastri took a commanding win at the Chinese Grand Prix, leading McLaren to a stunning one-two finish. The young driver delivered a perfect drive from pole position, marking his first victory in China and his third career win. This achievement also gave McLaren its 50th one-two finish in Formula 1. However, the race’s excitement soon turned into controversy when both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified, shattering Ferrari’s hopes of a double points finish.
McLaren’s Perfect Day, Ferrari’s Troubles Continue
Piastri’s flawless performance set the tone from the very beginning. Lando Norris secured second place despite dealing with brake issues late in the race. George Russell finished third for Mercedes, while Max Verstappen settled for fourth after a tough battle with Leclerc in the closing laps.
Initially, Hamilton and Leclerc finished fifth and sixth, but their celebrations were cut short by post-race disqualifications. The FIA found Hamilton’s car to have skid blocks below the legal thickness, a key component meant to ensure cars do not run too low for aerodynamic advantages. Leclerc’s Ferrari and Pierre Gasly’s Alpine were also disqualified for being underweight, adding more disappointment for Ferrari, especially with Hamilton only in his second race for the team.
Ferrari has not yet made an official comment on the disqualifications. The incident leaves the team grappling with reliability and compliance issues just two races into the season.
Calm and Confident Drive from Piastri
From the moment the lights went out, Piastri held his ground, leading confidently into Turn 1 and never giving up the lead. Norris made an impressive start, quickly moving past Russell for second place, cementing McLaren’s dominance early on.
Although minor contact between Leclerc and Hamilton caused slight wing damage for the Ferrari driver, both continued without major issues. Meanwhile, Verstappen lost ground early, falling from fourth to sixth and struggling to regain his position.
Tire strategies played a key role throughout the race. Hamilton and Verstappen opted for early pit stops on lap 14, with Piastri and Russell following on lap 15. Norris stayed out until lap 16 but briefly lost his position to Russell due to an undercut. However, Norris quickly reclaimed second place with a smooth overtake.
Ferrari’s team orders saw Hamilton allowing Leclerc to pass on lap 21, but it proved ineffective as the team lacked the pace to compete with the leading McLarens.
In the final laps, Piastri’s smooth management of his hard tires ensured he could avoid a second stop, cruising to victory without any pressure. Norris managed to keep his brake issues under control and held onto second place, giving McLaren a well-deserved one-two finish.
Updated Standings and Championship Outlook
After the disqualifications, the adjusted top ten results were:
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Ollie Bearman (Haas)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
Notably, Ollie Bearman, a talented British rookie, showed impressive skill and determination, finishing seventh for Haas.
In the drivers’ standings, Lando Norris now leads with 44 points, followed by Max Verstappen with 36 points, George Russell with 35 points, and Oscar Piastri with 34 points.
McLaren’s strong start to the season and Piastri’s composure suggest they are serious contenders for the championship. However, Ferrari’s struggles with reliability and regulation compliance remain a major concern.