Formula 1’s 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Race Review
The return to Shanghai delivered a weekend full of highs, heartbreaks, and history in the making. Lewis Hamilton lit up Sprint Saturday with a commanding Ferrari win, but it was Oscar Piastri who stole the show on race day—securing his maiden Formula 1 victory and leading McLaren to a stunning 1-2 finish. From a record-setting pole to dramatic post-race disqualifications that rocked Ferrari, the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix had it all.
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Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying
The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying session witnessed an intense battle for pole position, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton emerging victorious. Hamilton secured pole with a stunning lap time of 1:30.849, narrowly edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by a mere 0.018 seconds. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri showcased impressive pace to claim third on the grid, just 0.080 seconds behind Hamilton.
Hamilton’s pole position not only demonstrated Ferrari’s competitiveness but also set a new lap record at the Shanghai circuit. When informed of his achievement, Hamilton expressed his surprise and delight, marking a significant milestone in his inaugural season with the Scuderia.
The session unfolded over three segments: SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3. In SQ1, all 20 drivers aimed to secure a spot in the top 15 to progress. Lewis Hamilton set the pace early, posting the fastest time, while Red Bull’s newcomer, Liam Lawson, struggled and was eliminated after his lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits.
SQ2 saw intensified competition as drivers vied for a place in the top 10. McLaren’s Lando Norris showcased impressive speed, leading the timesheets. However, notable eliminations included Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Haas’ Oliver Bearman, who narrowly missed advancing to the final segment.
The climax of the session, SQ3, featured a thrilling battle for pole position. Hamilton delivered a stunning lap of 1:30.849, setting a new lap record at Shanghai. Max Verstappen closely followed, just 0.018 seconds behind, while Oscar Piastri secured third with a commendable performance for McLaren.
Sprint Race Top Ten Qualifiers:
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:30.849 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:30.867 |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:30.929 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:31.057 |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:31.169 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:31.393 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:31.738 |
| 8 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:31.773 |
| 9 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:31.852 |
| 10 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:31.982 |
Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race
In the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Lewis Hamilton showcased his exceptional driving prowess, securing his first victory with Ferrari. Starting from pole position, Hamilton reminding fans and haters of what he is still capable of. Hamilton maintained his lead throughout the 19-lap sprint, keeping his rivals in his rearview mirrors.. Despite experiencing some tyre graining, he managed to build a substantial gap, crossing the finish line 6.889 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Piastri’s impressive performance not only secured him second place in the sprint but also marked his maiden Formula 1 pole position for the main race, highlighting McLaren’s competitiveness this season. Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull Racing, finishing 9.804 seconds behind Hamilton.
George Russell delivered a solid performance, securing fourth place for Mercedes, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fifth, showcasing the Scuderia’s strong form. Yuki Tsunoda impressed by finishing sixth for Racing Bulls, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli taking seventh place. Lando Norris, despite an early setback, recovered to claim the final point in eighth position.
Hamilton’s victory not only marked his inaugural win with Ferrari but also demonstrated the team’s potential for the season. He expressed satisfaction with the car’s performance and acknowledged the team’s efforts in optimizing the setup.
The moment of victory 🤩
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 22, 2025
Lewis Hamilton crosses the line to take his first win for @ScuderiaFerrari #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/3Eea3Vr2RE
Sprint Race Top Eight Finishers:
| Position | Driver | Team | Time/Retired | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 30:39.965 | 8 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | +6.889s | 7 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | +9.804s | 6 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +11.592s | 5 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +12.190s | 4 |
| 6 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | +22.288s | 3 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +23.038s | 2 |
| 8 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | +23.471s | 1 |
Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying
In the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying session at the Shanghai International Circuit, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri achieved a career milestone by securing his first Formula 1 pole position. Piastri’s exceptional lap time of 1:30.641 in Q3 placed him at the forefront of the grid.
Piastri’s pole position underscores McLaren’s competitive edge this season. Mercedes’ George Russell secured the second spot on the grid with a time of 1:30.723, while Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, ensured a strong showing for McLaren by qualifying third. Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen will start from fourth position, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc occupying the third row in fifth and sixth places, respectively.
Notably, Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar impressed by qualifying seventh, ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon rounded out the top ten for Racing Bulls and Williams, respectively.
The session highlighted the intense competition among the top teams, setting the stage for an exciting race ahead.
OSCAR PIASTRI TAKES HIS FIRST-EVER F1 POLE POSITION 🎉#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/23fVPJ7rfz
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 22, 2025
Top Ten Chinese Grand Prix Qualifiers:
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:30.641 |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:30.723 |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:30.793 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:30.817 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:30.927 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:31.021 |
| 7 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:31.079 |
| 8 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:31.103 |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:31.638 |
| 10 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:31.706 |
Chinese Grand Prix Race Day
A perfect result for Oscar and @McLarenF1 🙌#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/JXDlRmUh0M
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 23, 2025
The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit had all the ingredients of a modern Formula 1 classic—intensity, strategic nuance, and late-race drama. From lights out to the checkered flag, it was Oscar Piastri’s day. The young McLaren driver capitalized on his maiden pole position and never looked back, expertly controlling the pace to secure a career-defining first Grand Prix victory.
Piastri managed the race with the composure of a seasoned veteran, building a gap early and keeping it clean under pressure. Despite a late Virtual Safety Car bunching the field slightly, he kept his cool and brought the car home in dominant fashion. Right behind him, teammate Lando Norris made it a dream result for McLaren. Though he suffered from brake issues in the final stint, Norris kept Mercedes’ George Russell at bay to seal a sensational 1-2 finish for the Woking squad—their first since Monza 2021.
Russell, who had been quietly consistent all weekend, delivered another strong result with third place, completing the podium. Max Verstappen, lacking the pace to challenge for the win, settled for fourth in a relatively quiet race by his standards.
Behind them, Esteban Ocon produced one of the standout drives of the day. The Frenchman took his Haas to a remarkable fifth-place finish, a well-earned reward after holding off rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who brought home a solid sixth for Mercedes in just his fourth F1 race. Alexander Albon kept things tidy to finish seventh for Williams, ahead of another superb showing from Oliver Bearman, who scored his first ever F1 points in eighth for Haas.
Lance Stroll brought his Aston Martin home in ninth, and it was Carlos Sainz Jr. who grabbed the final point in tenth for Williams. The result marked a strong showing for both customer Mercedes teams, with Williams and Haas both punching above their weight.
Notably absent from the top ten were some major names—and that wasn’t due to on-track performance alone. Ferrari’s weekend collapsed post-race, as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified during post-race scrutineering. Hamilton was found in breach of skid block regulations, while Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly were both excluded for running underweight cars. The disqualifications reshuffled the final classification, allowing several midfield drivers to score unexpected but well-deserved points.
Chinese Grand Prix Final Standings
| Position | Driver | Team | Time/Status | Points |
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:30:55.026 | 25 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | +9.748s | 18 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | +11.097s | 15 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | +16.656s | 12 |
| 5 | Esteban Ocon | Haas Ferrari | +49.969s | 10 |
| 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +53.748s | 8 |
| 7 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | +56.321s | 6 |
| 8 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari | +1:01.303 | 4 |
| 9 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | +1:10.204 | 2 |
| 10 | Carlos Sainz | Williams Mercedes | +1:16.387 | 1 |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | +1:18.875 | 0 |
| 12 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | +1:21.147 | 0 |
| 13 | Jack Doohan | Alpine Renault | +1:28.401 | 0 |
| 14 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 55 laps | 0 |
| 15 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 55 laps | 0 |
| 16 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 55 laps | 0 |
| NC | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | DNF | 0 |
| DSQ | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | Disqualified | 0 |
| DSQ | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Disqualified | 0 |
| DSQ | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | Disqualified | 0 |
Post-Race Disqualifications:
Following post-Race technical checks, 3 cars have been disqualified from the #ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #FIA #F1 pic.twitter.com/C27QHwmJ29
— FIA (@fia) March 23, 2025
The race concluded with significant disqualifications affecting the final standings:
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): Disqualified due to a skid block breach discovered during post-race inspections.
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine Renault): Both disqualified after their cars were found to be underweight during post-race checks.
These disqualifications have notably impacted the Constructors’ Championship standings, with Ferrari losing valuable points and McLaren strengthening their lead.
Conclusion
The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix had no shortage of drama—from record-breaking performances and maiden victories to post-race disqualifications that shook up the final order. Oscar Piastri’s flawless drive to his first Grand Prix win marked a defining moment in his young career, while McLaren’s 1-2 finish cemented their resurgence as a serious championship contender. Ferrari, on the other hand, will leave Shanghai reeling after a weekend that began with so much promise but ended in disqualification and disappointment.
With the dust now settled, all eyes turn to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, taking place April 4–6. One of the most iconic circuits on the calendar, it promises another thrilling test for drivers and teams alike as the 2025 season heats up.
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Sources:
- Piastri beats Norris and Russell to victory in Chinese Grand Prix with statement performance
- Hamilton disqualified from Chinese GP after skid block breach as Ferrari suffer double disqualification
- FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025 – RACE RESULT
- Leclerc and Gasly disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix over car weight breaches
- Hamilton charges to pole over Verstappen and Piastri during Sprint Qualifying thriller in China
- 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying Results
- Hamilton storms to Sprint victory and first Ferrari win in China ahead of Verstappen and Piastri
- 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Results
- Piastri edges out Russell and Norris for breakthrough maiden F1 pole during Chinese GP Qualifying
- 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying Results
