Hamilton Claims Historic First Ferrari Victory in Shanghai Sprint
Lewis Hamilton secured his first Ferrari victory in the Shanghai sprint race, leading from pole to finish with masterful control and tire management.
Starting strong, Hamilton maintained his lead through the crucial first turn while Max Verstappen settled into second. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc battled for third, with Piastri ultimately prevailing.
Race driver in red suit
High tire pressures and hot track conditions (near 100°F) forced careful tire management throughout the sprint. Piastri showed exceptional skill, overtaking Verstappen for second place on lap 15 after the Red Bull driver's tires degraded significantly.
Hamilton crossed the finish line 6.8 seconds ahead of Piastri, marking both his and Ferrari's first sprint victory. Verstappen held on for third despite severe tire wear in the closing laps.
Key finishing positions:
- 1st: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 2nd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 3rd: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 4th: George Russell (Mercedes)
- 5th: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
"I woke up feeling great today," Hamilton said. "From lap 1 here this weekend I was really feeling on it. The engineers and mechanics have done a great job to fine-tune the car."
F1 race results standings chart
Further down the field, Yuki Tsunoda impressed in sixth, while championship leader Lando Norris recovered to eighth after an early off-track excursion. The sprint results suggest strong potential for an exciting main race, with tire management likely to play a crucial role.