Lewis Hamilton has officially secured his first victory as a Ferrari driver, winning the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion showcased a masterclass performance, holding off challenges from both Red Bull and McLaren to take the checkered flag in Shanghai. This victory marks not only Hamilton’s first win with Ferrari but also his maiden Sprint race triumph since the format was introduced in 2021.
The race saw Hamilton start from pole position, a first for him in Ferrari colors, and he made no mistakes as he defended aggressively against Max Verstappen into Turn 1. The Dutchman remained within striking distance in the opening laps but could never find a way past the Ferrari. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri took advantage of Verstappen’s struggles, overtaking him in the latter stages to claim second place.
Hamilton’s Dominance from Pole
The anticipation was high as the drivers lined up for the 19-lap Sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit. Hamilton, who had qualified on pole, knew he had to defend against Verstappen early on to maintain his lead. As the lights went out, the Ferrari driver got a clean getaway, ensuring he stayed ahead as the pack charged into Turn 1.
Verstappen initially kept the pressure on Hamilton, staying within one second to utilize the Drag Reduction System (DRS). However, the Ferrari driver managed his pace well, never allowing the Red Bull to get close enough for a serious overtaking attempt. As the race progressed, Verstappen’s pace started to fade, and the focus shifted to Oscar Piastri, who was closing in quickly.
LEWIS HAMILTON WINS #F1SPRINT, HIS FIRST VICTORY FOR FERRARI #F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/zpgV66tEUw
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 22, 2025
Piastri Takes Second as Verstappen Struggles
By Lap 8, Verstappen had dropped slightly out of DRS range, allowing Piastri to gradually reel him in. The McLaren driver, showing impressive pace throughout the race, seized his opportunity on Lap 15. Going into Turn 14, Piastri made a bold move down the inside, taking second place from the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen, who has dominated the early part of the 2025 season, looked uncharacteristically vulnerable. While he managed to hold onto third place, the Dutchman never looked like he could challenge for the win after Piastri passed him. His struggles could indicate potential issues for Red Bull ahead of Sunday’s main race, where tire wear and strategy will play a much bigger role.
“P1 baby”#F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/dJkwvduvcL
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 22, 2025
Ferrari’s Resurgence After Australia’s Setback
Ferrari’s performance in Shanghai was a welcome improvement after a tough outing in Australia last weekend. Charles Leclerc, in the second Ferrari, also showed strong pace, finishing fifth behind George Russell’s Mercedes. The Monegasque driver made a late charge for fourth place but was unable to get past the British driver before the checkered flag.
While Hamilton’s victory is a massive confidence boost for the Scuderia, the main race will provide a more definitive test of their competitiveness. With more points on offer and different tire strategies in play, Ferrari will need to be at their best to convert their Sprint success into a full race victory.
Take a bow, Lewis #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/Au2Prg7OHY
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 22, 2025
Midfield Battles and Norris’ Struggles
While the top three positions remained relatively stable after Piastri’s overtake, the midfield saw plenty of action. Yuki Tsunoda continued his impressive form with Racing Bulls, finishing sixth ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli in seventh. The young Mercedes driver, making his debut season in Formula 1, spent much of the race in Tsunoda’s DRS zone but never found an opening to make a move.
Meanwhile, championship leader Lando Norris had a race to forget. The McLaren driver started sixth but lost three places on the opening lap after running wide and touching the grass. Struggling for pace throughout the Sprint, Norris fought back to claim the final points position in eighth after overtaking Lance Stroll on Lap 17.
Another standout performer was Red Bull’s reserve driver Liam Lawson, who made significant progress from the back of the grid. Starting in 19th place, Lawson battled his way up to 14th, showcasing his ability to navigate through the midfield despite a minor incident with Alpine’s Jack Doohan.
Looking Ahead to the Main Race
With the Sprint race wrapped up, all eyes now turn to Sunday’s main event. Ferrari will be eager to build on Hamilton’s win, but Verstappen and Red Bull will undoubtedly regroup and come back stronger. McLaren, with Piastri’s strong performance, also looks like a serious contender.
For Hamilton, this victory is a historic milestone. After making the bold switch to Ferrari, the Briton has now proven he can win with the iconic Italian team. However, he will know that the true test comes in the full-length Grand Prix, where strategy, tire degradation, and racecraft will all play crucial roles.
Final Sprint Race Results – Shanghai:
-
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
-
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
-
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
-
George Russell (Mercedes)
-
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
-
Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
-
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
-
Lando Norris (McLaren)
With this thrilling Sprint race setting the stage, Formula 1 fans can expect an even more exciting battle when the lights go out for the Chinese Grand Prix main race.
READ NEXT:
