Lewis Hamilton officially announced his arrival at Ferrari in spectacular fashion, securing his first victory for the team in a dominant pole-to-flag sprint race performance at the Chinese Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion held his nerve against a fierce challenge from Max Verstappen, delivering a flawless drive to finish nearly seven seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who took second place.
The grandstands erupted in celebration as Hamilton cemented his place in Ferrari’s history books with this emphatic win.
Holding Off Verstappen with Precision
Right from the start, Hamilton showed his trademark racecraft.
Lining up on pole position, he immediately covered Verstappen’s attack, skillfully moving right to block the Red Bull’s charge.
That decisive move set the tone for the race, ensuring he stayed ahead once DRS was enabled on lap three.
Despite Verstappen keeping the pressure on, getting as close as six-tenths of a second at one stage, Hamilton remained calm and composed, managing his tyres to perfection.
By the midpoint of the race, it was clear the Ferrari driver was in full control, expertly fending off Verstappen’s advances.
A Much-Needed Boost After a Rocky Start
This victory was exactly what Hamilton needed to kickstart his Ferrari journey, especially after a disappointing tenth-place finish in Melbourne the previous weekend.
His smooth drive in China showcased his ability to adapt to his new team, silencing critics who doubted how quickly he could acclimatize to the Ferrari setup.
“The first race was tough, but people underestimated the challenge of switching teams.
I felt great from the moment I stepped into the car today. I got a good start and just kept pushing,” Hamilton said after the race.
Verstappen Slips as Piastri Steals Second
While Hamilton pulled ahead, Verstappen found himself struggling in the latter part of the sprint.
With just four laps to go, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri made a stunning overtake, pushing Verstappen down to third place.
The Red Bull driver had no answer for Hamilton’s pace and ultimately finished 2.9 seconds behind Piastri.
Further down the grid, George Russell secured fourth place for Williams, while Charles Leclerc crossed the line in fifth, making it a solid day for Ferrari overall.
Though Hamilton now leads his Monegasque teammate by just one point, the season is still in its early stages, and every race will be crucial.
Celebrations at Ferrari, Disappointment for Norris
Though Hamilton’s celebrations were muted, he couldn’t hide his excitement.
He climbed onto his scarlet Ferrari, raised his fists to the sky, and shared emotional hugs with his new team members—a moment that signified a new chapter in his legendary career.
Meanwhile, it was a day to forget for early championship leader Lando Norris.
The McLaren driver started in sixth but dropped three places after making an early mistake, running wide into the gravel at Turn Six.
Struggling with tyre degradation, he was overheard on team radio saying:
“I need help, I’m driving so slow, I’m killing my tyres.”
Though he managed to recover to eighth place, it was a disappointing result, especially after his dominant performance in Melbourne.
His struggles allowed Verstappen to close the gap in the drivers’ standings, leaving only two points between them ahead of Sunday’s full-length Chinese Grand Prix.
Looking Ahead to the Main Race
With this sprint race victory, Hamilton has sent a strong message that he is ready to fight for the championship with Ferrari.
As qualifying for the main race looms, all eyes will be on whether he can repeat his success and take another step toward his eighth world title.