Lewis Hamilton endured a challenging afternoon at the Shanghai International Circuit as he struggled to find pace during the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing sixth in what turned out to be a frustrating race for the seven-time world champion.
The second race of the 2025 Formula 1 season saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secure pole position and convert it into a dominant victory, with teammate Lando Norris finishing second to complete a McLaren one-two. Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the podium in third place, highlighting an impressive outing for the British driver.
Hamilton’s Tough Race and Strategic Gamble
For Hamilton, however, it was a day of missed opportunities. After starting from fifth on the grid, the 40-year-old struggled to maintain his position as the race unfolded. His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, despite suffering front-wing damage early in the race, showed superior pace and was eventually allowed to pass Hamilton in a team decision that reflected the Briton’s struggles.
With his performance hampered by a lack of grip and balance, Hamilton and his team attempted an alternative two-stop strategy in a bid to salvage a stronger result. However, this approach failed to provide the necessary advantage, leaving Hamilton to settle for a sixth-place finish. Despite the disappointment, there was one bright spot in his afternoon—he managed to set the fastest lap of the race, showcasing his ability to extract raw speed even in difficult conditions.
Hamilton’s Frustration on Team Radio
The Mercedes driver’s frustration was evident during the race, particularly through his team radio messages. At one point, Hamilton called for more detailed feedback from his race engineers, saying:
“Give me some feedback guys, come on. I need some feedback on where I’m losing.”
His race engineer, Riccardo Adami, responded by pinpointing the issue:
“Exit 13.”
However, Hamilton was unimpressed, replying:
“Yeah, you told me that already.”
Adami then reassured the driver:
“The rest seems good. Keep monitoring.”
Despite his struggles, Hamilton maintained a positive outlook after crossing the finish line. Speaking to his team over the radio, he encouraged them to remain optimistic:
“Guys, I know that was tough. Not the result that we wanted, but let’s keep pushing. There are improvements we can make, for sure. Let’s not give up.”
His race engineer backed him up, replying:
“Yep. We did the maximum, you did the maximum with the pace we had.”
Piastri’s Joy and McLaren’s Dominance
While Hamilton faced difficulties, it was a weekend to remember for Oscar Piastri. The young Australian delivered a superb performance, leading from the front and managing his race effectively despite unexpected tire behavior.
Reflecting on his victory, Piastri said:
“It’s been an incredible weekend from start to finish. The car’s been pretty mega the whole time. I think today was a bit of a surprise with how differently the tires behaved. I’m just so proud of the whole weekend. This is what I feel like I deserved from last week. The team did a mega job with the one-two. I’m very happy.”
With McLaren securing a commanding one-two finish, the team has firmly established itself as a serious contender in the early stages of the 2025 season.
Looking Ahead to the Japanese Grand Prix
With the Chinese Grand Prix now in the books, the Formula 1 paddock turns its attention to the next round of the championship. The action will resume in two weeks’ time at the iconic Suzuka Circuit in Japan, a track known for its fast, technical layout and rich history in the sport.
Hamilton and his Ferrari team will be looking for answers as they aim to close the gap to McLaren and Mercedes. Meanwhile, Piastri will hope to build on his momentum and stake his claim as a genuine title contender in the early part of the season.
As the championship battle begins to take shape, all eyes will be on Suzuka on April 6 to see how the teams and drivers respond to the latest developments in what is already proving to be an exciting season.
Lewis Hamilton fumes on Ferrari team radio as Chinese Grand Prix ends in disappointment
