In a spectacular turn of events, the iconic Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has broken records yet again, this time with Ferrari, as he seized his first-ever pole position with the team during the Sprint Qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix. This surprising victory came to life as the Ferrari car demonstrated impressive performance, a stark contrast compared to Hamilton’s challenging debut with the team in Australia.
Regarded as the champion of the Shanghai International Circuit, Hamilton managed to outpace Red Bull’s ace driver, Max Verstappen, securing the front spot on the grid for the Sprint race. This victory is particularly noteworthy as Hamilton’s Ferrari SF-25 put up an admirable show during the practice hour this weekend, indicating a more harmonious synergy between the driver and his new machine.
Hamilton’s stellar performance didn’t stop there. Not only did he consistently outperform his team-mate Charles Leclerc throughout the qualifying rounds, but he also dethroned the leading McLarens during his solo run in the final segment, SQ3. Despite their subsequent attempts, the McLarens failed to reclaim their lead, while Verstappen’s last-minute challenge fell short against Hamilton’s record-setting pace.
Expressing his elation, Hamilton stated, “I didn’t expect that result, but I’m so, so happy and so proud.” Reflecting on the previous race, he acknowledged the potential of the car and the team’s impressive efforts to unlock it. He also expressed his admiration for the Shanghai track, attributing his car’s performance to the modifications made by the team.
Despite the euphoria of the surprise pole position, Hamilton remains grounded, acknowledging that the main race is yet to come. He stated, “Obviously it’s not the main race so we’ve got work to do tomorrow, but this puts us in good stead for the race.”
Hamilton credits his remarkable success in securing his inaugural Ferrari pole to his strong start in the first sector of the SQ3 shootout. He described the experience as surreal and expressed his excitement at seeing the number one beside his name in the iconic red car.
However, Hamilton also shared his concerns regarding the Ferrari SF-25’s performance over a long race distance under dry conditions. This is primarily because his previous race was on a wet track, and he hasn’t had the opportunity to test the car in drier conditions. Despite these concerns, Hamilton remains hopeful and positive, ready to defend his pole position against the fast McLarens and the formidable Max Verstappen.
In the world of Formula 1, yesterday’s triumphs or failures carry little weight as each new race brings new challenges and opportunities. As Lewis Hamilton gears up for the 19-lap Sprint encounter, the world watches with bated breath to see if he can replicate his qualifying success and secure another victory for Ferrari.
