Lewis Hamilton Claims First Victory for Ferrari in Dominant Sprint Race in China

Lewis Hamilton ignited his Ferrari career with an impressive pole-to-flag victory in the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, securing his first win with the Italian team. The seven-time world champion’s performance was nothing short of emphatic, crossing the line nearly seven seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who finished in second place. The win was met with loud cheers from the sun-drenched stands in Shanghai, signaling the start of a promising chapter for Hamilton at Ferrari.

It was only Hamilton’s second race for Ferrari, but he looked every bit the composed veteran as he made a brilliant start from pole position, fending off the challenge from arch-rival Max Verstappen, who started second. Hamilton expertly covered the Red Bull driver’s advance by moving slightly to the right, ensuring Verstappen couldn’t make a move at the start. From there, the victory seemed inevitable.

By the time DRS (Drag Reduction System) was activated on lap three, Hamilton had built enough of a gap to stay ahead of Verstappen, whose relentless pursuit kept Hamilton under pressure throughout the race. At one point, Verstappen closed to within six-tenths of a second, but Hamilton kept his cool and defended his lead. With a strong race strategy and superior tyre management, Hamilton held off Verstappen and claimed his first sprint victory in 19 attempts.

This victory was a timely boost for Hamilton, who was eager to turn around his fortunes after a disappointing debut race with Ferrari in Melbourne, where he finished in 10th place. The win in China was exactly what he needed to reignite his £60 million-a-year adventure with the Scuderia. Hamilton’s race engineer, Riccardo Adami, praised his driver’s performance, describing it as a “masterclass in tyre management.”

In a post-race interview, Hamilton reflected on his journey with Ferrari, acknowledging the challenges of adjusting to a new team. “The first race was difficult, but people underestimated the steep climb to acclimatize to a new team,” Hamilton said. “It felt great to come here and feel more comfortable in the car. From lap one, I felt great. I got a good start, and the car felt great throughout.”

Despite his victory, Hamilton remained calm and focused on the long-term goals. “I don’t feel the pressure,” he continued. “I know the tifosi and the team want to win, and it means everything, but it’s one step at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day. We are not going to get ahead of ourselves. We will stay calm, push, be diligent, and focus on qualifying. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Max Verstappen, after a determined effort, finished in third, just 2.9 seconds behind Piastri. George Russell took fourth for Williams, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished in fifth, one point behind Hamilton in the standings. Even in his muted celebrations, Hamilton stood on top of his scarlet Ferrari, raising both fists in triumph before sharing a hug with his Ferrari team members.

In contrast, McLaren’s Lando Norris had a tough day, finishing in a disappointing eighth place after starting sixth. He had a difficult race, complaining about his tyres, and even ran into the gravel on Turn Six of the opening lap. Norris, who had been a standout performer in Melbourne, was unable to replicate that form in China, finishing behind Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll.

As the sprint race concluded, Verstappen’s second-place finish moved him within two points of Norris in the drivers’ standings. With the main race for the Chinese Grand Prix coming up, all eyes will be on Hamilton, who is looking to build on his sprint victory and establish himself as a true contender for the title in his new Ferrari chapter.