Chinese language Grand Prix: Hamilton registers first win with Ferrari as McLaren’s Piastri claims maiden F1 pole

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri stormed to his first-ever pole place on Saturday on the Chinese language Grand Prix forward of Mercedes’ George Russell, after Lewis Hamilton gained the dash race.

The second row for Sunday’s foremost race will probably be stuffed by Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris and world champion Max Verstappen of Crimson Bull.

Hamilton will begin in fifth after taking his maiden victory for Ferrari within the morning dash in Shanghai.

Alongside him on the third row will probably be teammate Charles Leclerc with Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon finishing the highest 10.

“I discovered a variety of tempo in Q3,” stated the Australian Piastri.

“The laps have been a bit of bit scruffy however I’m simply pumped to be on pole.”

Piastri, who was second within the dash, stated it might be essential to get away in entrance initially of Sunday’s 56-lap race the place preserving tyres may very well be a key issue.

“I wish to be sure that I preserve the clear air. I used to be fairly comfortable after the dash,” he stated.

“I really feel like we discovered so much and I’m trying ahead to placing that into use tomorrow.”

Understated brilliance from @OscarPiastri

The Aussie storms to his first F1 pole place 🤩#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/Kx2higw7M8

— Formulation 1 (@F1) March 22, 2025

Russell was ecstatic to get on the entrance row alongside Piastri.

“Feels unbelievable to be sincere,” stated the Englishman.

“Did one thing completely completely different on that final lap and all of it got here collectively.”

Norris lastly discovered some tempo after coming eighth within the dash.

“I’m at all times dissatisfied if I’m not on pole however Oscar deserves it at present,” stated Norris, who gained the season-opener in Melbourne final week.

Hamilton earlier savoured a “actually particular” first victory in Ferrari purple after successful the dash race in dominant trend.

The seven-time world champion managed the race from pole place so as to add a dash victory to his report six grands prix triumphs in Shanghai.

He took the chequered flag 6.889 seconds forward of Piastri with Verstappen third.

Hamilton emerged from his automobile after the end line to a crescendo of cheers from the massed followers, who unfurled big banners displaying his quantity 44.

‘Actually particular weekend’

“That may be a actually, actually particular weekend to this point,” the 40-year-old Englishman instructed reporters.

“China and Shanghai has at all times been actually good to me since my first race right here again in 2007. It’s a monitor that I actually do love driving on.

“It’s exhausting to place into phrases what it looks like.”

Hamilton used his huge expertise to make the most of the clear air on the entrance of the pack and nurse his tyres over 19 laps.

“I believe it’s usually fairly shut between all of us,” stated Hamilton.

“I used to be simply making an attempt to handle (the tyres) early on after which the final, like, 5 laps or one thing, I used to be in a very comfy place.”

Verstappen pressured Hamilton within the first half of the race however suffered in a while cooked rubber enabling Piastri to swoop previous with 5 laps to go.

“Sadly the final eight laps we didn’t have the tempo of the others so I used to be making an attempt to outlive on the market,” stated Verstappen, who gained each the dash and foremost race in China final yr.

The #ChineseGP qualifying ends in full ⤵️#F1 pic.twitter.com/nrcK1pJozq

— Formulation 1 (@F1) March 22, 2025

In grand prix qualifying, rookie Liam Lawson continued his horrible begin to life at Crimson Bull after crashing in Melbourne and coming final in dash qualifying.

The New Zealander did not hook up his qualifying tyres and trailed in twentieth on the time sheets and can begin from the again of the grid for a second successive time.

“It’s simply actually powerful, actually,” stated a dissatisfied Lawson. “I simply must get on high of it.”

Esteban Ocon was eleventh and joined by Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and fifteenth quickest Carlos Sainz in not making the highest 10 shootout from Q2.

Additionally eradicated from Q1 have been Pierre Gasly and Lawson’s fellow rookies Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto.