Lewis Hamilton Claims First Ferrari Victory in Chinese GP Sprint Race

Lewis Hamilton delivered a commanding performance at the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, securing his first victory for Ferrari in only his second outing with the team.

Lewis Hamilton / Formula One Photo

The seven-time world champion led from pole position and expertly managed his tires to fend off early challenges, marking a significant milestone for both himself and the Scuderia.

Hamilton’s triumph came after a disappointing debut for Ferrari in Australia, where he finished 10th. This time, he silenced critics with a flawless drive, crossing the finish line nearly seven seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completed the podium in third after struggling with tire degradation late in the 19-lap event.

The race began with Hamilton defending his lead against Verstappen into Turn 1. While Verstappen initially kept pace, he soon fell back, allowing Piastri to close in and execute a decisive overtake on Lap 14.

Piastri praised his result, saying, “Finishing second is always a great outcome, and I learned a lot today. We didn’t quite have the pace to challenge Lewis, but we’ll analyze and improve.”

Verstappen admitted to difficulties, stating, “I tried to push early on, but the tires just didn’t hold up. By the last eight laps, I was just trying to survive out there.”

Elsewhere on the grid, Mercedes’ George Russell overtook Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for fourth place on the opening lap and held off a late challenge from the Monegasque driver.

Yuki Tsunoda impressed with a sixth-place finish for Racing Bulls, while rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured seventh for Mercedes.

McLaren’s Lando Norris endured a tough race after an early mistake at Turn 6 dropped him from sixth to ninth. Despite struggling with tire grip throughout the event, Norris salvaged eighth place by overtaking Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin in the final laps. However, his championship lead has been reduced to just two points over Verstappen.

Hamilton’s win also marked Ferrari’s first sprint race victory since the format was introduced in 2021. The Briton celebrated with cheers from fans at the Shanghai International Circuit and reflected on his journey with Ferrari so far: “The first race was tough, but I woke up feeling fantastic today. It’s a steep learning curve joining a new team, but we’ve worked hard to fine-tune the car. This win is a testament to everyone’s efforts.”

As Formula One heads into Sunday’s main race, Hamilton’s performance has reignited excitement about Ferrari's potential this season and underscored his enduring prowess on the track.