Lewis Hamilton‘s first Ferrari F1 win came at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race where the British driver delivered a commanding performance to finish ahead of Oscar Piastri.
The seven-time world champion showcased his trademark skill and determination, leading from start to finish in a race that tested both strategy and execution.
Hamilton’s first Ferrari F1 win not only silenced critics but also underscored his adaptability in his new team after a challenging debut weekend in Melbourne.
The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race began under sunny skies at the Shanghai International Circuit, with Lewis Hamilton starting from pole position following an impressive display in Friday’s Sprint Qualifying.
The Ferrari driver reacted sharply at lights out, covering off Max Verstappen into Turn 1 and establishing an early lead. His mastery of the SF-25 was evident as he managed his tyres through mid-race graining and maintained a steady buffer over his rivals.
Verstappen who started alongside Hamilton initially appeared poised to challenge but soon found himself under pressure from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Piastri, driving with remarkable confidence, executed a decisive overtake on Verstappen at Turn 14 late in the race to claim second place. This move not only secured valuable points for McLaren but also demonstrated the team’s competitiveness despite early struggles in the weekend.
The reigning world champion ultimately settled for third, unable to reclaim his position as his tyres faded in the Ferrari’s dirty air.
Behind the leading trio, Mercedes’ George Russell delivered a solid drive to finish fourth. Russell fended off a spirited late charge from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who rounded out the top five.
Leclerc’s performance highlighted Ferrari’s overall strength during the weekend, with both cars finishing in the top five for the first time in the 2025 F1 season.
Further down the order, Yuki Tsunoda impressed with a composed drive to sixth place for Racing Bulls. Tsunoda capitalized on consistent pace and avoided errors to secure crucial points for his team.
Meanwhile Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli continued to show promise, finishing seventh and adding to his points tally from Melbourne.
Lando Norris who had high expectations following his dominant win in Australia endured a frustrating 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race. A poor start saw him drop positions early on, and he spent much of his race stuck behind Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin before salvaging eighth place with a late move.
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The midfield battle was equally intense, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso narrowly missing out on points in ninth and tenth respectively.
Williams’ Alexander Albon and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly followed closely behind, their efforts hampered by limited overtaking opportunities on Shanghai’s technical layout.
Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson finished 13th and 14th respectively, both struggling to find competitive pace throughout the race.
Haas drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon had a challenging outing, finishing 15th and 16th amid ongoing development struggles with their car.
Carlos Sainz endured another difficult race for Williams, crossing the line in 17th after battling handling issues. Kick Sauber duo Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the classified finishers in 18th and 19th places respectively.
Alpine rookie Jack Doohan finished last after receiving a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Bortoleto.
Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari F1 win was not just significant for its immediate impact but also as a statement of intent for the Italian team’s ambitions this season.
Speaking after the race, Hamilton reflected on his journey with Ferrari so far: “The first race was difficult, but today everything clicked. The team has worked tirelessly to fine-tune the car, and it felt great out there.”
He also addressed critics who doubted his ability to adapt: “A lot of people underestimated how steep the climb is when joining a new team. This win is for them as much as it is for us.”
