Lewis Hamilton silenced his critics with an impressive victory in the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, marking his first win for Ferrari. After a disappointing start to the season in Australia, the seven-time world champion proved he’s fully adapted to his new team, delivering a dominant performance in Shanghai.
Dominant Sprint Performance After Setup Overhaul
Hamilton started the sprint from pole position and led the race from start to finish. It was Ferrari’s first win in the sprint format, which was introduced in 2021, and Hamilton’s first-ever win with the team. The victory came after a major overhaul in the car’s setup, which Hamilton personally contributed to, following a difficult weekend in Melbourne.
“This was exactly what we needed after last weekend,” said Hamilton, referencing his struggles in Australia. “I think a lot of people really underestimated how tough it is to join a new team.” The seven-time world champion hit back at critics who failed to understand the challenges of adapting to Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes. “Some people clearly have no clue. I see people I’ve admired for years making completely uneducated guesses,” he added.
Despite facing criticism, Hamilton remained calm and confident, putting the blame on those who expected immediate results. In the lead-up to the race, Hamilton took a more hands-on approach, speaking directly to his race engineer Riccardo Adami to suggest adjustments that would improve the car. His decision paid off as he claimed pole position and a victory in the sprint.
“I’m proud of how the team handled the setup changes,” Hamilton said, referencing his strong partnership with Adami. “It was a team effort, and we nailed it.”
Piastri Grabs Pole for the Grand Prix, Hamilton Qualifies Fifth
While Hamilton’s sprint win was the headline of the weekend, qualifying for the main race saw some other surprises. Rookie Oscar Piastri claimed his first-ever Formula 1 pole position, becoming the standout performer of the session. George Russell followed in second, with Lando Norris rounding out the top three in third.
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, qualified fourth, while Hamilton settled for fifth, three-tenths of a second off Piastri’s pace. Despite not being satisfied with his position, Hamilton remained upbeat, attributing his struggles in qualifying to minor handling issues with the Ferrari.
“It wasn’t as comfortable in Australia,” Hamilton admitted. “But I didn’t want to impose my methods too soon. Now I’m starting to understand how the team operates, and we’re moving in the right direction.”
Piastri, thrilled with his pole position, expressed his excitement for the race. “When everything clicks, it feels amazing,” said the McLaren driver. “Hopefully, clean air helps tomorrow—we learned a lot in the sprint.”
Norris Stumbles, Verstappen and Others Behind
McLaren’s Lando Norris, a strong contender following his win in Melbourne, had a tough day in Shanghai. After starting sixth in the sprint race, Norris made a mistake and finished in eighth. His frustration continued in qualifying when he aborted his final lap, knowing that he couldn’t improve his position.
Despite the setbacks, Norris remains optimistic, knowing that McLaren’s race pace could give him a chance to recover in the main event. “We’re still in a good position for tomorrow, and the race is where we can make up ground,” he said.
Charles Leclerc, also driving for Ferrari, qualified sixth, while the remaining top ten positions were filled by:
- 7th: Isack Hadjar
- 8th: Kimi Antonelli
- 9th: Yuki Tsunoda
- 10th: Alex Albon
The rest of the grid saw Esteban Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz, and Liam Lawson all qualifying further down. Lawson once again struggled, finishing last in 20th position.
Hamilton Reasserts His Presence at Ferrari
Hamilton’s performance in China has firmly reasserted his status as a top driver, sending a clear message to his critics: he’s quickly finding his rhythm at Ferrari. After a rough start to the season, the victory in the sprint race and strong qualifying performance show that Hamilton is on track to challenge for more wins as the season progresses.
With the main race ahead, Hamilton’s confidence is palpable. He has proven that, even after a difficult transition, he remains one of the best in the sport. The victory in China not only marks an important milestone for Hamilton at Ferrari but also silences the doubts of those who questioned his ability to succeed with a new team.
As the Formula 1 season continues, Hamilton’s fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if he can maintain this momentum and build on his success in Shanghai. Whether or not he can carry the momentum from this win into the Grand Prix remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Hamilton is back on top, and he’s ready to challenge for more victories.
