Lewis Hamilton, at age 40, celebrated a remarkable victory at the Sprint race during the Chinese Grand Prix on March 22, 2025, marking his first win for Ferrari. The experienced driver started the race in pole position after securing the top spot during Sprint Qualifying the previous day, and he demonstrated skill and control throughout the 19 laps.
From the outset, Hamilton maintained his lead against fierce competition. Despite pressures from behind, notably from Max Verstappen, who aimed to make a strong impression, Hamilton's perfect start allowed him to surge ahead into the first corner, effectively dictating the pace of the race.
The drama unfolded in the last laps when Oscar Piastri, who initially struggled to keep pace, managed to overtake Verstappen towards the end, securing an impressive second place finish. Verstappen’s performance began to falter as he battled with tire wear, ultimately leading to Piastri's successful maneuver.
George Russell emerged in fourth place, delivering a solid performance for Mercedes, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five. Yuki Tsunoda finished sixth ahead of Kimi Antonelli in seventh place. Lando Norris, after a challenging start that saw him drop back to ninth place, could only manage an eighth-place finish amidst graining tires throughout the race. Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso secured ninth and tenth positions, respectively, just outside the points.
The race saw few incidents, mainly until the concluding laps. However, an altercation between rookies Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto just after Hamilton crossed the finish line brought further focus to the day's events. The incident involved Bortoleto's Sauber spinning Doohan's Alpine at Turn 14. Both drivers faced an investigation by stewards following the race.
Prior to the race, Oscar Piastri also made headlines by clinching the pole position for the Grand Prix, clocking a time of 1:30.641. This achievement marked the first pole of the rookie's career, showcasing the rising talents in the sport as he outpaced George Russell and Lando Norris, who qualified second and third, respectively.
George Russell related his struggles during the qualifying sessions, explaining, “It was one of the hardest Quali sessions I’ve had in a long time. I tried everything with my preparation and the tires, but nothing seemed to work.” Nevertheless, Russell was able to place himself in a strong position for the Sprint race, finishing in fourth place.
Looking ahead, the drivers will prepare for the main race of the Chinese Grand Prix, where strategy, tire management, and speed will be critical factors for success. With Hamilton finding his stride at Ferrari and Piastri demonstrating promise, fans are eagerly anticipating the fierce battles that lay ahead.
In essence, the Chinese Grand Prix signifies more than just another race on the calendar. It encapsulates the emergence of new talent and the resilience of seasoned champions coming together on one of the world's top racing stages.
