Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory for Ferrari, controlling the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race from pole position on Saturday.
The seven-time world champion crossed the line ahead of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, marking a milestone moment in just his second race weekend with the Scuderia.
Hamilton, greeted by roaring Shanghai fans waving banners of his iconic number 44, reflected on his journey:
“People underestimate how tough it is to adjust to a new team,” he said. “In Melbourne, I didn’t feel comfortable in the car, but today felt great. I got a good start, and I don’t feel the pressure—Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes, while Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc followed in fifth.
Yuki Tsunoda (RB), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), and championship leader Lando Norris (McLaren) completed the points, with Norris salvaging eighth place after a tough race.
Hamilton’s blistering lap record on Friday secured pole position, and he wasted no time building a gap, keeping Verstappen out of DRS range by lap three.
Piastri closed in on Verstappen with five laps to go, eventually passing the Red Bull driver at the hairpin on lap 16, but Hamilton’s flawless tyre management ensured he remained untouchable at the front.
