Lewis Hamilton delivered victory at the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, securing his first triumph for Ferrari in just his second outing with the team.
The seven-time world champion showcased his signature racecraft, fending off a charging Max Verstappen at the start before dictating the pace with precision. While the Red Bull initially seemed poised to challenge, Hamilton’s control proved unshakable, leaving his rivals struggling in his wake.
Verstappen’s early aggression faded as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri emerged as the real threat. The young Australian executed a decisive overtake with five laps remaining, relegating the reigning champion to third. Meanwhile, Lando Norris salvaged a solitary point after a frustrating race, passing Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin in the final laps.
For Hamilton, the win was a powerful response to a disappointing Ferrari debut in Australia, where he finished 10th. His race engineer, Riccardo Adami, hailed the drive as a “masterclass in tyre management,” a crucial factor on a day when others struggled for grip. The Chinese crowd roared in approval as Hamilton soaked in the moment on the pit straight.
“I woke up feeling great today,” Hamilton said. “A lot of people underestimated how tough it is to adapt to a new team, but we put in the work, and today the car felt amazing.”
Piastri’s runner-up finish reinforced McLaren’s growing threat. “We didn’t quite have the pace for Lewis, but I learned a lot,” he admitted. “The way I got the result was the most encouraging part.”
Verstappen, unable to match Ferrari’s pace, accepted third. “I tried, but the last eight laps were just survival,” he said. “We’re lacking overall pace, which means pushing harder and destroying the tyres.”
Elsewhere, George Russell battled past Charles Leclerc early on to claim fourth, fending off a late counterattack from the Ferrari. Yuki Tsunoda impressed with a gritty drive to sixth, holding off Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The result narrows Norris’ championship lead to just two points over Verstappen, setting up an intense fight for the races ahead.
