Lewis Hamilton has earned his first pole position for Ferrari. The seven-time world champion topped the qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by just 0.02 seconds. Hamilton called the result “a bit of a shock,” but he was thrilled with the outcome.
Hamilton’s Strong Comeback
Hamilton’s pole position is even more impressive considering his recent struggles. In Melbourne, just one week earlier, he finished 10th. He faced difficult conditions and was still getting used to Ferrari. There was pressure on him and the team to improve. Fortunately, a few key changes between races allowed the car to show much better performance in Shanghai.
“The last race was a disaster for us,” Hamilton said after his pole. “We knew there was more performance in the car but couldn’t extract it. We made some great changes—huge credit to the team. I’m still in shock.”
This positive change gave Hamilton the pace he needed, and his result shows Ferrari’s potential moving forward.
McLaren’s Mixed Results
McLaren was expected to perform well in Shanghai after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s strong showing in Melbourne. Norris, who had been quick in practice, was looking to be a contender for the front row. However, in the final moments of qualifying, Norris made some mistakes. His first flying lap was off, and at the hairpin, he went too wide, forcing him to abort his final attempt.
Norris ended up qualifying in sixth. He admitted, “I made a mistake, locked up in the last corner. The car’s fast but tough to handle. Too many mistakes today.”
Meanwhile, Piastri continued to impress. The Australian secured third place, just 0.08 seconds behind Hamilton. Piastri’s strong performance is a highlight for McLaren, showing that they have the potential for great results.
Hamilton’s Success in Shanghai
Hamilton has had a lot of success at the Shanghai International Circuit. He has six wins and six pole positions at this track, which has always been a happy place for him. His familiarity with the circuit showed during qualifying, as he was able to extract everything from his Ferrari. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, qualified in fourth place, two-tenths behind Hamilton, which also bodes well for the team.
Verstappen Close Behind
Max Verstappen, despite not having the best pace in Shanghai, still managed to secure second place on the grid. The Red Bull driver is known for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure, and he showed that once again in qualifying. Verstappen finished just 0.02 seconds behind Hamilton, which keeps him in a strong position for the sprint race and the main Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s teammate, Liam Lawson, had a much tougher time. Lawson struggled with tire temperatures and could not match Verstappen’s pace. He qualified last, which was a disappointing result for the Red Bull junior driver.
Mercedes Shows Improvement
Mercedes also showed signs of improvement during qualifying. George Russell qualified in fifth place, which was a good result for the team. After a slow start to the season, this performance suggests that Mercedes is starting to find its pace. Russell will be hoping to improve further in the sprint race and the main Grand Prix.
Rookie Kimi Antonelli also impressed, qualifying seventh. This is a strong result for the young driver in his first full race weekend. His performance adds to Mercedes’ optimism for the future, as they work to regain their competitiveness.
What’s Next for Hamilton and Ferrari?
Hamilton’s pole position is a major boost for both him and Ferrari. After a tough start to the season, this result gives the team confidence moving forward. Ferrari will hope to build on this momentum and challenge for a strong finish in the Chinese Grand Prix.
The sprint race will give teams more time to adjust their setups and fine-tune their performance. Hamilton and Ferrari will be eager to defend their position and push for a win. Meanwhile, Verstappen, Norris, and others will be looking to challenge Hamilton and take the lead in the race.
With so much competition, the Chinese Grand Prix promises to be an exciting and unpredictable event. Fans will be watching closely to see if Hamilton and Ferrari can continue their strong performance or if other teams like McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes will bounce back.