SHANGHAI -- In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Oscar Piastri triumphed at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 23, 2025, leading his teammate Lando Norris to a one-two finish for McLaren. Piastri's victory not only showcased his driving prowess but also marked a significant milestone for the team as they celebrated their 50th one-two finish.
Piastri, who had a disappointing outing during the season opener in Australia where he spun out while in a promising position, bounce back in style. Starting from pole position, he controlled the race from the outset, executing a one-stop strategy with finesse, despite early challenges from George Russell of Mercedes.
“The car was very lovely and good work on reacting to the [tyre] deg. Good team effort, that is one very satisfying weekend,” said Piastri, clearly relishing his return to the top. He finished the race 9.748 seconds ahead of Norris, who managed to navigate a late brake issue to secure second place.
Norris expressed his satisfaction with a solid performance despite facing challenges: “A few fun moments. The start I was hoping for, but then George got me in the pit stops. I was a little nervous, but we were better in the second stint.” He acknowledged Piastri's superior drive: “Oscar drove well, he deserved the win. I'm happy with second, good points and great points for the team with a one-two.”
As the McLaren duo celebrated their podium finishes, the day turned grim for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc, who had a mishap in the early laps, lost part of his front wing after a collision with teammate Lewis Hamilton. The team’s troubles only worsened when post-race checks revealed that both cars did not meet technical regulations. Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight, while Hamilton faced penalties due to excessive wear on his car's skid plank.
This sequence of events meant that Hamilton, who finished sixth on the track, was disqualified, alongside Leclerc, who crossed the line in fifth place. The double disqualification was a huge blow for Ferrari, stripping them of crucial championship points and leaving them considerably behind McLaren in the constructor standings.
Reflecting on his experience, Hamilton remarked, “This is a shame (because) the pace is there.” The seven-time world champion had opened his account with Ferrari by winning the sprint race the day prior but was visibly frustrated with the failure to capitalize on that performance.
Meanwhile, George Russell claimed the final podium position, finishing third and keeping Mercedes competitive in the championship race. “It's a great result, finishing P3. We knew McLaren were a smidge quicker than us, but more crucial points,” he noted following the race.
Max Verstappen found himself in fourth place after making a late move to overtake Leclerc before the disqualification. The reigning champion had faced his own challenges throughout the race but managed to secure valuable points for Red Bull.
Piastri's triumphant return to form significantly bolsters his championship hopes, as he now sits in hot pursuit of Norris, who leads the drivers' standings. The latest results place Norris at 44 points, with Verstappen at 36, Russell at 35, and Piastri now just behind at 34 points.
Looking ahead, the sensational performances from both McLaren drivers leave them with a strong footing in the early part of this season, a stark contrast to last year's struggles. “We survived and made it to the end,” Norris said in relief, acknowledging the team’s strategy was on point, though he admitted to the stress of battling brake issues in the closing laps.
In contrast, Ferrari’s disappointing outing places them under pressure to redeem themselves in upcoming races. They now sit 61 points behind McLaren in the constructor standings, an alarming gap early in the season. “Titles aren’t won at the start of seasons but they certainly can be lost,” a team representative was quoted saying, reflecting the sentiment shared across the paddock.
As Haas celebrated their own success with Esteban Ocon finishing in fifth place, thanks to Ferrari's misfortunes, and rookie Ollie Bearman claiming eighth, the team appeared thankful for the double points haul.
With the season still young, the next races will be vital for teams to find their rhythm and momentum. The drama surrounding the Chinese Grand Prix underlines the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 and sets the stage for a thrilling championship battle ahead.
