Lewis Hamilton wasted no time making history with Ferrari, clinching his maiden victory for the team in just his second race at the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race. The seven-time world champion delivered a commanding performance, holding off Max Verstappen at the start before cruising to an impressive win.
A Strong Start for Hamilton
The race began with an intense battle as Hamilton successfully defended his lead from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen into Turn 1. While Verstappen initially looked like he might challenge, the Brit gradually pulled away, showcasing masterful control over his Ferrari.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri saw his opportunity late in the race. With five laps to go, the young Australian overtook Verstappen, securing a well-deserved second place.
McLaren’s Late Charge and Norris’ Comeback
It wasn’t just Piastri who had a solid performance—his teammate Lando Norris fought hard to recover after a tough start. Norris, who had slipped down the order due to an early mistake at Turn 6, made a late surge, overtaking Lance Stroll with two laps remaining to claim a crucial point.
Hamilton’s Redemption After a Tough Start
This victory was a statement from Hamilton, especially after a disappointing Ferrari debut in Australia, where he finished ninth. The Chinese Grand Prix sprint, however, was a different story.
As soon as he crossed the finish line, Hamilton’s race engineer, Riccardo Adami, praised his “masterclass in tyre management”, highlighting how the Brit handled the tricky conditions better than anyone else.
Hamilton Relishes His First Ferrari Win
Soaking in the cheers from the grandstands, Hamilton reflected on his performance with a grin:
“I woke up feeling great today. The first race was tough, but people underestimate how hard it is to settle into a new team. The engineers and mechanics fine-tuned the car perfectly, and it felt amazing. Everyone struggled on the new tarmac, but we managed it well.”
Verstappen’s Struggles and Piastri’s Learning Curve
At the start, Verstappen seemed capable of mounting a challenge. However, after eight laps, he started to lose ground, eventually falling into the grasp of Piastri, who made a decisive move at Turn 14 on Lap 14.
Piastri was thrilled with his second-place finish:
“It was a great sprint! Finishing second is always a strong result, and I learned a lot. We didn’t quite have the pace to challenge Lewis, but we’ve got some ideas to improve.”
Verstappen, on the other hand, admitted he was struggling:
“I gave it a go, but the last eight laps were just survival. We lacked pace, and pushing harder only made the tyres wear out faster.”
Russell and Leclerc’s Duel, Tsunoda’s Surprise Performance
While the spotlight was on the front runners, Mercedes’ George Russell had his own battle. On the opening lap, he pulled off a bold move on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, diving down the inside of the hairpin to take fourth place.
Leclerc pushed hard to reclaim the position, but Russell managed to hold him off until the checkered flag.
Further back, Yuki Tsunoda put in a standout performance for Racing Bulls, fending off Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli throughout the race to secure a strong sixth-place finish.
What This Means for the F1 Season
Hamilton’s Ferrari win shakes up the F1 standings, proving that the veteran still has plenty of fight left. With Ferrari showing strong race pace, could this be the start of a thrilling championship battle?
As teams prepare for the main Chinese Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Hamilton, Verstappen, and the rising stars of F1. If this sprint race is any indication, we’re in for a spectacular season.
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Final Thoughts
Lewis Hamilton first Ferrari win was nothing short of spectacular. From fending off Verstappen to managing tyres flawlessly, he reminded everyone why he’s a seven-time champion. With more races ahead, this season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
