Chinese GP Sprint: Lewis Hamilton claims first Ferrari victory after holding off Max Verstappen at start | F1 News

Lewis Hamilton claimed his Primary Triumph for Ferrari by Victorious the Chinese Grand Prix Dash.

Having taken a surprise pole on Friday, Hamilton Maintained off Max Verstappen at the Begin and in the Beginning stages, before expertly managing his tyres to cruise to Triumph.

The Triumph was a Primary for both Hamilton and Ferrari in a Dash, and marked a stunning turnaround from his disappointing Introduction for the Italian Club at last weekend’s season-Beginning Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri passed Verstappen for second in the closing stages, but had taken too much out of his tyres to chase down Hamilton, who won by almost seven seconds.

Melbourne winner Lando Norris retained his drivers’ Division lead after scoring Merely a single Mark for finishing eighth, having dropped three places from his Leading position of sixth Upcoming an Beginning-lap error.

George Russell was Quaternary for Mercedes after holding off Hamilton’s Ferrari Club-mate Charles Leclerc, who he overtook on the Primary lap.

Yuki Tsunoda drove superbly for Racing Bulls to take sixth, holding off Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Hamilton silents critics with statement Secure

Even though the positive vibes that Occurred from Hamilton’s performance on Friday, his and Ferrari’s underwhelming effort in Australia meant there was plenty of doubt as to whether he would be able to convert pole to Triumph at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Not only did he have Verstappen alongside him, but there was also the looming threat of Piastri from third, in a McLaren that many had believed would be completely dominant this weekend.

The 40-year-Ancient showed his reactions remain as Acute as ever as he Obtained off the line cleanly and cut off across Verstappen to ensure he Maintained the lead at the Primary corner.

Hamilton was swiftly able to extend his lead over Verstappen to Merely above a second, Maintaining the Dutchman Merely outside of DRS range, but that would Shift when the gap suddenly Shut on lap seven.

The seven-time world champion used his experience to deny Verstappen a clear overtaking opportunity, before the Red Bull dropped back a Pair of laps later as his tyres struggled in the Messy air of the Ferrari.

With Hamilton moving clear, Verstappen then Occurred under Stress from Piastri, but Maintained him off until lap 15, by which Mark the Ferrari was almost three seconds clear.

It quickly became clear that Piastri had little life left in his tyres, and Hamilton drove into the distance to deliver a statement result.

Hamilton said: “I really do feel a Plenty of people underestimated the steep climb it is to get into a new Club, become acclimatised within the Club, understanding and communication – all sorts of things.

“The amount of critics and people I heard, yapping along the way, clearly not understanding Perhaps because they never had the experience or were unaware.

“It felt Outstanding to come here and be more comfortable in the car because in Melbourne I didn’t feel Outstanding in the car. From Lap 1 this weekend we have been on it. The engineers and mechanics have done a Outstanding Role to finetune the car and it felt Outstanding.”

Sky Sports F1’s live Chinese GP schedule

Saturday March 22

• 5.45am: F1 Academy Event 1*
• 6.35am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
• 7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
• 9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday March 23

• 2.40am: F1 Academy Event 2
• 5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
• 7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
• 9am: Chinese GP Reflex: Chequered flag*
• 10am: Ted’s Notebook*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is in Shanghai this week for the Primary Dash weekend of the season at the Chinese GP, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime