Alexandre
Lewis Hamilton didn't have to wait long before rocking the house. Scuderia Ferrari This was his second weekend at the wheel of the Ferrari, the seven-time world champion won the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. An impeccable start, solid pace and impeccable tire management enabled him to win ahead of Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, fifth at the finish, admits he still needs to raise his game to compete with his new team-mate.
Hamilton's first success at Ferrari
On Saturday, Hamilton completed his Sprint pole position in style. As soon as the lights went out, he leapt ahead of Verstappen, retaining the lead despite a brief phase of tire degradation which allowed the Red Bull driver to close the gap. Once this tricky phase was over, Hamilton's Ferrari SF-25 took off again, controlling the race right up to the chequered flag.
At the finish, the emotion was palpable: Hamilton's first victory in the red colors, the Scuderia's first Sprint success after nineteen attempts. The Ferrari mechanics celebrated the triumph as a historic moment, while the Briton exulted at the wheel, as if to say that this union between Ferrari and himself is already promising.
Beyond the result, the Ferrari's overall performance bodes well for Sunday's race. Long stints and rubber management seem to be well under control, as Hamilton's consistency in the final laps shows. Even Charles Leclerc, despite a mixed Saturday, showed better signs at the end of the Sprint. Optimism reigns within the team: the Reds now have the certainty that the car can fight for victory.
Lewis Hamilton: "A more comfortable weekend
Interviewed just after the finish by Jacques Villeneuve, Hamilton made no secret of his delight: " Only his second race with Ferrari and already a victory ". The champion praised the Scuderia's work in helping him adapt quickly:
"A lot of people underestimated the difficulty of changing teams. The first weekend was complicated, but we worked tirelessly and today everything went perfectly."
Aware that the season is still long in coming, Hamilton knows that he will have to confirm this:
"I don't feel any particular pressure, but I know that the fans expect victories. We need to keep going step by step, without getting carried away. This car has potential and I'm here to make the most of it."
Charles Leclerc: "I wasn't at Hamilton's level".
While the Ferrari SF-25 seems to be performing well, Charles Leclerc had more difficulties. After starting fourth, he lost a position on the second lap to George Russell and was never able to close the gap, finishing fifth.
"I was too conservative, and my performance wasn't good at the beginning and middle of the race. It's a shame, because I could have finished fourth. But I have to admit it: so far, I'm not at Lewis' level." confided Leclerc.
Despite its disappointment, Leclerc wants to bounce back quickly:
"Historically, this circuit is complicated for me, just like Melbourne, but that's no excuse. I'll try to get a better feeling for the next qualifying session so that I can aim higher. We need to score points and I want to make my contribution to the team."