Hamilton Hits Back with First Ferrari Triumph in China Sprint

Lewis Hamilton delivered a stunning performance to clinch his maiden victory for Ferrari during the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, he fended off Max Verstappen at the start and quickly established a commanding lead, maintaining control throughout the 19-lap event to secure the win. The result marked a milestone for Hamilton in just his second outing with the iconic Italian team.

The sprint victory came as a sharp contrast to his underwhelming debut with Ferrari in Australia the previous weekend, where he could only manage a 10th-place finish. Hamilton’s success in Shanghai not only gave him a morale boost but also served as a response to critics who had questioned his performance in Melbourne. Later that same Saturday, he qualified fifth for the main race, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for the first time in his Formula 1 career.

In his post-race interview, Hamilton didn’t hold back when addressing the negative commentary following his Ferrari debut. He explained that adjusting to a new team comes with significant challenges, particularly in terms of communication and understanding the car. The 40-year-old made it clear that many had underestimated the effort needed to adapt, noting that some critics “clearly didn’t understand” the process or lacked the experience to appreciate it.

Hamilton also shared that his comfort level with the Ferrari had greatly improved in Shanghai compared to Melbourne. He described feeling much more confident from the very first lap of the weekend, which translated into his dominant performance in the sprint. His remarks reflected both relief and renewed motivation as he continues building chemistry with his new team.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s grand prix, Hamilton faces an uphill battle if he hopes to secure a record-breaking seventh win in Shanghai. Starting behind Piastri, Verstappen, Lando Norris, and former teammate George Russell, he will need another masterclass in racing to climb through the grid and challenge for victory once again.