Lewis Hamilton secured his first Formula One sprint race win with Ferrari, leading from start to finish before the Chinese Grand Prix. He expressed delight at the victory, describing it as “mega” while acknowledging the need for sustained improvement in the main event. Teammate Charles Leclerc finished fifth, citing car setup differences as contributing factors to their varied performances.
Lewis Hamilton expressed immense satisfaction following his first Formula One sprint race victory with Ferrari, describing the achievement as “mega.” This win occurred prior to the Chinese Grand Prix, where Hamilton had qualified in fifth position. The seven-time world champion led the sprint race from start to finish, demonstrating resilience after his previous disappointing performance in Melbourne where he finished tenth.
At the 100km sprint race, Hamilton managed his tires effectively, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who will start on pole for the main event, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. This victory marked the first time Hamilton and Ferrari collectively won a sprint race since the new format’s introduction in 2021. He shared, “Starting from pole, starting from first in a Ferrari and winning in a Ferrari is next level, man. It’s mega.”
While celebrating this notable triumph, Hamilton remained grounded regarding the upcoming Grand Prix. He remarked on the progression required, emphasizing, “I know the tifosi [fans] – the team wants to win, and it means everything – but Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Reflecting on the qualifying lap, he acknowledged that he could have performed slightly better, optimizing his performance would be critical.
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, finished fifth in the sprint. He indicated a difference in car setup compared to Hamilton but praised Hamilton’s efforts. Leclerc admitted to historically struggling with the track but viewed qualifying positively as a means to improve performance. Team principal Fred Vasseur attributed the difference between the drivers to tire management, emphasizing the challenges posed when racing in traffic, stating, “As soon as you are in the dirty air, you struggle to overtake. It’s much more difficult to manage.”
In summary, Lewis Hamilton’s first Formula One sprint victory with Ferrari revitalizes his spirits following a lackluster start to the season in Melbourne. The collective achievement signifies hope and determination for future races, despite maintaining a cautious approach toward expectations. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc continues to work on improving his performance amid the experienced team dynamics.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
