Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton Hits Out At ‘Yapping’ Critics After Taking First Ferrari Win In Chinese GP Sprint Race

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By
Kieran Lynch
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Kieran Lynch Sports Editor

Kieran Lynch is a sports writer specialising in football and Formula One. He is a sports journalism graduate of Leeds Trinity University and completed a Press Association NCTJ course in Newcastle. He previously worked as a news reporter for the Eastern Daily Press in Norfolk and spent five years as a sports writer at the MailOnline.

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Published22 Mar 2025

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Lewis Hamilton has slammed his critics after taking his first Ferrari win during the sprint race ahead of tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion had a tough first weekend for his new team last week in Australia.

At Albert Park, in Melbourne, Hamilton could only finish 10th, taking just one championship point.

He has returned to form at the Shanghai International Circuit, driving from pole to victory in the sprint race.

Hamilton took eight points with his victory to move to seventh in the standings – 17 points off leader Lando Norris.

Max Verstappen briefly challenged Hamilton for the win but his tyres fell off a cliff and he was overtaken by Oscar Piastri with the pair completing the sprint race top-three.

George Russell overtook Charles Leclerc to finish fourth, while the rest of the points positions were completed by Yuki Tsunoda, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and championship leader Lando Norris who was well off the pace.

Lewis Hamilton Slams ‘Yapping’ Critics After Maiden Ferrari Win

Lewis Hamilton hit back at his critics after taking his first Ferrari win in Saturday’s Chinese Sprint Race.

The Brit was criticised for his performance at the opening race in Melbourne, with a particular focus on his communication difficulties with new race engineer Riccardo Adami.

He said after the sprint race: “The first race was difficult. I think I really do feel a lot of people underestimated the steep climb it is to get into a new team, to become acclimatised within the team and understanding communication and all sorts of things.

How Many Sprint Races Has Lewis Hamilton Won?

Amazingly this was the first time that Lewis Hamilton has ever won a sprint race in his Formula One career.

Sprint races were only introduced in 2021. Originally, there were only three sprint races on the F1 calendar – though this increased to six from the 2023 season onwards.

This season, there will also be sprint races the day before the main Grand Prix in Miami, Belgium, Austin, Brazil and Qatar.

Who Has Won The Most Sprint Races?

Max Verstappen has largely dominated F1 since the 2021 season so it’s no surprise he holds the record for the most sprint race victories.

The Dutchman has won an incredible 11 out of the 18 sprint races held in Formula One history.

Only Valterri Bottas and Oscar Piastri have otherwise won more than one sprint race with two apiece.

Hamilton on Saturday ed George Russell, Sergio Perez and Lando Norris having won one sprint race.

Who Qualified On Pole Position For The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix?

The F1 2025 season.

Piastri took the first pole of his career with a time of 1:30.641 – less than a tenth of a second ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.

Lando Norris has struggled for pace all weekend but he will line up in third alongside Max Verstappen on the second row.

Lewis Hamilton after taking pole for the sprint race could only get fifth in the main qualifying session. However, he again outqualified Charles Leclerc who lines up alongside him.

The rest of the top 10 were made up of rookies Isack Hadjar and Andrea Kimi Antonelli on Row 4, with Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon 9th and 10th.

Verstappen’s teammate Liam Lawson again disappointed in 20th place. It was the third qualifying session this year that the New Zealander qualified last on the grid and pressure will surely grow if his poor performances continue.

Oscar Piastri will line up alongside George Russell on the front row for the Chinese Grand Prix

Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying Classification

  • 1st – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
  • 2nd – George Russell (Mercedes)
  • 3rd – Lando Norris (McLaren)
  • 4th – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
  • 5th – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
  • 6th – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
  • 7th – Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
  • 8th – Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
  • 9th – Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
  • 10th – Alex Albon (Williams)
  • 11th – Esteban Ocon (Haas)
  • 12th – Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber)
  • 13th – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
  • 14th – Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
  • 15th – Carlos Sainz (Williams)
  • 16th – Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
  • 17th – Oliver Bearman (Haas)
  • 18th – Jack Doohan (Alpine)
  • 19th – Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber)
  • 20th – Liam Lawson (Red Bull)