Lewis Hamilton celebrated a significant achievement by winning his first Formula One sprint race with Ferrari, calling the moment “mega.” This victory came just ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, where he qualified in fifth place.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, dominated the sprint race on Saturday, leading from the start to the finish. This win marked a remarkable comeback after finishing 10th in the season opener in Melbourne just a week prior. It was only his second race with Ferrari since joining the team from Mercedes in January.
The 40-year-old British driver expertly managed his tires throughout the 100-kilometer (62-mile) race, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Piastri’s strong performance in the sprint earned him pole position for the main race on Sunday.
Hamilton expressed his excitement about winning in a Ferrari, saying, “Starting from pole, starting from first in a Ferrari and winning in a Ferrari is next level, man. It’s mega.” He added that he did not expect to achieve this so quickly in his new team.
As he prepares for the Grand Prix, Hamilton acknowledged the need for patience. He reminded fans that success takes time, saying, “I know the tifosi [fans] – the team wants to win, and it means everything – but Rome wasn’t built in a day.” He felt his qualifying lap could have been better and aimed to create a plan to secure victory in the main event.
Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, also faced challenges during qualifying, finishing in fifth place. He noted that he had a different setup on his car compared to Hamilton and struggled with the track, which has historically been difficult for him.
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, highlighted the importance of tire management, especially for drivers starting from the front. He explained that it is easier to control the tires when leading compared to battling through the pack, where drivers face "dirty air" that complicates overtaking.
With the Grand Prix on the horizon, Hamilton is focused on executing his strategy and hopes to build on his sprint race success.