Lewis Hamilton celebrated a historic victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 22, 2025, dominating the sprint race in Shanghai while securing his first win with Ferrari. Starting from pole position, Hamilton led the 19-lap race from beginning to end, finishing in 30 minutes and 39.965 seconds, a remarkable achievement especially notable as it was his first sprint race win with the Scuderia team.
Oscar Piastri from McLaren followed closely, finishing second, 6.889 seconds behind Hamilton. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion from Red Bull Racing, came in third, crossing the line 9.804 seconds after the leader. Hamilton’s triumph at the Shanghai circuit, a place where he has previously celebrated victory six times, further reiterates his adaptability and skill as he transitions to Ferrari.
"I felt very comfortable today...I don't feel pressure; I know the team wants to win and that means everything to them," Hamilton stated after the race, reflecting on his smooth shift to Ferrari and the support from his team. His win not only boosts his confidence but also positions him strategically for the upcoming races as he works to catch up in the championship standings.
However, the sprint race was not without its surprises. While Hamilton enjoyed an impressive lead, Piastri had his work cut out for him. Initially starting in third, he managed to secure second place after a fierce battle within the last few laps, demonstrating his potential as a strong contender in this season.
Lando Norris, who had been at the top of the championship standings before the race, experienced a challenging day. He finished in eighth place after an error in the early stages that saw him drop back in the ranks. Norris still holds the lead in the overall championship with 26 points, but Verstappen is closely trailing him with 24 points.
Completing the top five were George Russell from Mercedes, who took fourth, and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, who finished in fifth. Leclerc’s performance was commendable, but the Ferrari team, despite its resurgence thanks to Hamilton's win, still trails in the constructor standings.
The results of the sprint race held significant implications for the overall championship. Post-race, McLaren leads the constructor’s championship with 35 points, closely followed by Mercedes with 34 points. Red Bull stands third with 24 points, while Ferrari, buoyed by Hamilton's win, has moved up to fourth with 17 points. Williams maintains a modest score with 10 points, and both Alpine and Haas are yet to score any points this season.
Young driver Isack Hadjar, competing for Racing Bulls, made his presence known by finishing 13th and marking one of the first performances from a rookie this season. Fellow French drivers Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Esteban Ocon (Haas) finished 12th and 16th respectively, underscoring the challenges faced by some established teams this year.
Looking ahead to the main race on Sunday, the grid will feature Oscar Piastri starting from pole position, followed by George Russell in second, and Lando Norris starting third, promising an exciting showdown. Max Verstappen will be in fourth, with Lewis Hamilton in fifth and Charles Leclerc in sixth, setting the stage for a thrilling race.
For Hamilton, the victory not only serves as a personal milestone with his new team but also instills a renewed vigor in Ferrari's campaign for both driver and constructor championships as they seek to leave behind a series of less favorable performances. The intense competition between teams continues to escalate, with each race turning out to be critical as they battle for supremacy in the dynamic and fast-paced world of Formula 1.
