Lewis Hamilton celebrated his first sprint race victory with Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, leading from start to finish. This achievement follows a disappointing result in Melbourne and showcases his potential with the new team. Hamilton stressed the importance of remaining grounded as they prepare for the main race, emphasizing tire management and support from fans.
Lewis Hamilton achieved a remarkable feat by winning his first Formula One sprint race for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, leading from start to finish. This victory follows a disappointing tenth place finish in the Melbourne GP, showcasing Hamilton’s resilience and potential for future triumphs. His performance on Saturday marks a significant achievement for both him and Ferrari, as it is their first sprint race win since the format’s introduction in 2021.
During the sprint race, Hamilton expertly managed his tires and secured victory ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. This victory is particularly notable as Hamilton, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes at the beginning of the season, had only competed in two races with his new team. Following the win, he expressed that achieving such a victory in Ferrari’s colors was an extraordinary feeling, stating, “It’s mega”.
Looking ahead to the main race on Sunday, Hamilton, who qualified fifth, acknowledged the support of the fans and indicated that both he and Ferrari must remain grounded. He emphasized that while the tifosi, or Ferrari fans, yearn for a win, achieving success is a gradual process, stating, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Hamilton also mentioned that his qualifying performance could have been improved, suggesting he had the potential to achieve a quicker lap time.
Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc finished fifth in the sprint, noting he configured his car differently from Hamilton’s, attributing Hamilton’s success to his exceptional performance. Leclerc admitted to historically struggling at this track and was determined to improve for future races. Team Principal Fred Vasseur highlighted the challenge of overtaking in dirty air and indicated that tire management issues significantly affect performance, especially when battling in the pack compared to leading from the front.
Overall, Hamilton’s win serves as an impressive demonstration of his skill and potential after switching teams, and it creates an optimistic outlook for Ferrari in upcoming competitions, despite the challenges ahead.
In summary, Lewis Hamilton’s first sprint race win with Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix marks a significant achievement following his transition from Mercedes. He managed to lead the race effectively while demonstrating excellent tire management. Despite challenges ahead in the main race, Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc aim to build on this momentum and refine their performance for future races. The support from the tifosi adds to the pressure, yet Hamilton emphasizes the need for patience as he integrates into his new team.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
