Chinese GP: Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari pole highlights a resurgent weekend in Shanghai
After a challenging season opener in Australia, Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton have bounced back with a standout performance in Sprint Qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
Hamilton looked more comfortable in the SF-25 from the get-go in Shanghai, finishing P4 in the sole Free Practice session and carrying that momentum into Sprint Qualifying.
There, he delivered an electrifying lap of 1:30.849 to secure pole position - his first as a Ferrari driver and the fastest lap ever recorded at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The seven-time world champion will line up alongside old rival Max Verstappen on the front row, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc lock out the second row.
Shock and pride
Hamilton’s disbelief at his achievement was evident when his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, informed him of the result. “Really?” he asked over team radio.
In his post-qualifying interview, Hamilton reflected on the turnaround:
"I didn't expect that result, but so happy and so proud.
"I think, obviously the last race was a disaster for us. Clearly we knew that there was more performance in the car, but we just weren't able to extract it.
"So to come here to a track that I love, Shanghai, beautiful place, and the weather's been amazing, and the car really came alive from lap one.
"We made some great changes, the team did a fantastic job through the break to get the car ready. And, yeah, I'm a bit in shock.
Hamilton acknowledged the job isn’t done yet, as Ferrari looks to capitalise on this momentum in Sunday’s main event:
"I can't believe it actually, we got a pole in a sprint. It's obviously, not the main race, so we've got work to do for tomorrow, but this puts us in good stead for the race."
“There’s still time to find for sure which I’ll try and make sure that I apply to the next qualifying session we go out in.
“But it’s amazing to see the number one as you stop, and to be in the red car - it’s pretty incredible.”
A weekend of Ferrari success in Shanghai
Hamilton’s pole isn’t the only highlight for Ferrari this weekend.
Earlier on Friday, March 21, Maya Weug claimed pole position in F1 Academy, making it a double delight for the Scuderia in Shanghai.
This marks Ferrari’s first pole in China since 2018, and the team will be hoping to turn these strong starts into race victories.
Can Hamilton and Weug take the Scuderia all the way to the chequered flag? The stage is set for an exciting weekend in Shanghai.
