By rikififi90 
Formula 1 has landed in Shanghai for the second round of the 2025 season, bringing the thrill of the year’s first sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. Following a challenging season opener in Australia, where Lando Norris clinched victory amid rain and chaos, attention now shifts to the Shanghai International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton, in his debut year with Ferrari, stunned the field by securing pole position for the sprint race in the early hours of Friday, March 21, with a lap time of 1min30s849, edging out Max Verstappen by a mere 0s018. Meanwhile, Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, driving for Sauber, claimed 14th on the grid, showing progress after a tough weekend in Melbourne.
Hamilton, who parted ways with Mercedes after 12 seasons, is already proving his worth at Ferrari, a team he aims to elevate with his seven-time world champion pedigree. The sprint qualifying, held under dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 22°C, showcased the tight competition across the grid, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounding out the top three, followed by Charles Leclerc and George Russell. For Bortoleto, the result offers hope after retiring from his debut race due to brake issues that led to a crash on lap 46 in Australia.
The Chinese GP marks Formula 1’s return to the country after a five-year hiatus, and the sprint format underscores the sport’s push for dynamic racing to captivate fans. Known for its long pit straight and demanding corners, the Shanghai track promises a fierce battle, particularly in the midfield, where Bortoleto aims to make his mark with Sauber.
- Key highlights from sprint qualifying:
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 1min30s849 – Pole position.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 2nd, 0s018 behind the leader.
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 3rd, reinforcing the team’s strength.
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber): 14th, advancing to SQ2.
A new chapter for Hamilton and Ferrari in Shanghai
Lewis Hamilton entered the 2025 season carrying the weight of a historic move to Ferrari, and the Chinese GP is already hinting at the potential of this partnership. In sprint qualifying, the Briton exceeded expectations by outpacing McLaren, dominant since Norris’s win in Australia, and Red Bull’s Verstappen, the reigning four-time champion. His 1min30s849 lap in SQ3 secured pole, though Hamilton admitted he’s still adjusting to the Ferrari, particularly after a modest ninth-place finish in Melbourne.
Ferrari, which struggled in the season opener, appears to have made critical strides in Shanghai. Adjustments to the front suspension, tested in Bahrain and refined after Australia’s mixed results, have paid off. Hamilton praised the progress but remains cautious, knowing the sprint race on Saturday, March 22, will be the first true test of race pace in dry conditions.
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, finished fourth, solidifying Ferrari’s presence among the frontrunners. The Italian squad, whose last Chinese GP win came in 2019 with Sebastian Vettel, is eager to reclaim its edge in a championship shaping up to be a close fight to the finish.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s 14th place marks a step forward. The Brazilian, a Formula 3 champion in 2023 and Formula 2 runner-up in 2024, faced a rocky debut with Sauber but outqualified veteran teammate Nico Hülkenberg, who will start 19th. Though he reached SQ2, Bortoleto trailed the top 10 by about 0s7, highlighting the Sauber’s limitations in a fiercely competitive field.
- Sprint race grid – Top 10:
- 1st Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari).
- 2nd Max Verstappen (Red Bull).
- 3rd Oscar Piastri (McLaren).
- 4th Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
- 5th George Russell (Mercedes).
- 6th Lando Norris (McLaren).
- 7th Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes).
- 8th Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls).
- 9th Alex Albon (Williams).
- 10th Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
Sprint excitement and weekend expectations
The sprint race, set for midnight on Saturday (Brasilia time), will kick off the weekend’s major action in Shanghai. Covering 19 laps and roughly 100 km, the short-format event awards points to the top eight finishers, with up to eight points for the winner. Introduced in 2021, the sprint has become a fan favorite, and China opens a slate of six such races in 2025, including Miami, Belgium, Austin, São Paulo, and Qatar.
Hamilton, starting from pole, will face Verstappen on the front row, setting the stage for a thrilling launch. The Briton showcased his defensive skills against Verstappen in Australia and now aims for his first Ferrari win. Piastri, in third, poses a threat, with McLaren excelling in straight-line speed, aided by Shanghai’s two DRS zones.
In the midfield, Bortoleto has a chance to gain positions, though Sauber’s lack of pace pits him against stiff competition from Williams, Haas, and Racing Bulls. The Brazilian, who started 15th in Australia, improved in qualifying but knows tire wear, worsened by the track’s fresh surface, could disrupt his strategy.
The Chinese GP schedule remains packed post-sprint. At 4 a.m. on Saturday, drivers return for the main race qualifying, followed by the Grand Prix itself at 4 a.m. on Sunday. With just one practice session on Friday at 12:30 a.m., teams and drivers face a compressed weekend, heightening the stakes.
Full schedule and how to watch the Chinese GP
The Chinese Grand Prix delivers a packed lineup for Formula 1 fans, with timings adjusted to Brazil’s early morning hours due to Shanghai’s time zone. Here’s the complete schedule:
- Friday, March 21:
- Free Practice 1: 12:30 a.m. (BandSports).
- Sprint Qualifying: 4:30 a.m. (BandSports).
- Saturday, March 22:
- Sprint Race: 12:00 a.m. (BandSports).
- Main Qualifying: 4:00 a.m. (Band and BandSports).
- Sunday, March 23:
In Brazil, Band broadcasts the main race and Sunday qualifying live on free-to-air TV, while BandSports covers all sessions on cable. The Shanghai International Circuit, stretching 5.451 meters with 16 corners, is one of the sport’s most iconic venues, hosting its first race in 2004, won by Rubens Barrichello—the only Brazilian to triumph there to date.
What to expect from the sprint and main race
Saturday’s sprint race promises high drama, with Hamilton looking to cement his lead from the start. Verstappen, with 11 sprint wins since the format’s debut, will aim to claw back ground, while Piastri and Norris lean on McLaren’s pace to challenge the leaders. Tire wear, despite Pirelli’s increased minimum pressures for this round, will be pivotal, especially in Shanghai’s high-speed corners.
For Bortoleto, the sprint is a learning opportunity. The Brazilian, hampered by a less competitive car, has shown promise by reaching SQ2 in his first two F1 outings. His goal is to stay in the midfield and avoid trouble, like the collision with Jack Doohan in Australia, to build experience in his rookie year.
Sunday’s main race should escalate the intensity. McLaren, spearheaded by Norris, enters as the favorite after Melbourne, but Ferrari, with Hamilton and Leclerc, aims to prove its mettle. Verstappen and Red Bull, after a subdued start to 2025, remain a wildcard with recent car tweaks.
Hamilton dominates the Chinese GP record books, with six wins (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)—more than any driver. Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg, with two victories each, follow. For Bortoleto, a top-15 finish would be a milestone in his fledgling F1 career.
- Chinese GP trivia:
- First race: 2004, won by Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari).
- Most wins: Lewis Hamilton, with 6 victories.
- Last winner: Max Verstappen, in 2024.
- Track length: 5.451 meters, with 19 laps in the sprint and 56 in the main race.
Formula 1 has landed in Shanghai for the second round of the 2025 season, bringing the thrill of the year’s first sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. Following a challenging season opener in Australia, where Lando Norris clinched victory amid rain and chaos, attention now shifts to the Shanghai International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton, in his debut year with Ferrari, stunned the field by securing pole position for the sprint race in the early hours of Friday, March 21, with a lap time of 1min30s849, edging out Max Verstappen by a mere 0s018. Meanwhile, Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, driving for Sauber, claimed 14th on the grid, showing progress after a tough weekend in Melbourne.
Hamilton, who parted ways with Mercedes after 12 seasons, is already proving his worth at Ferrari, a team he aims to elevate with his seven-time world champion pedigree. The sprint qualifying, held under dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 22°C, showcased the tight competition across the grid, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounding out the top three, followed by Charles Leclerc and George Russell. For Bortoleto, the result offers hope after retiring from his debut race due to brake issues that led to a crash on lap 46 in Australia.
The Chinese GP marks Formula 1’s return to the country after a five-year hiatus, and the sprint format underscores the sport’s push for dynamic racing to captivate fans. Known for its long pit straight and demanding corners, the Shanghai track promises a fierce battle, particularly in the midfield, where Bortoleto aims to make his mark with Sauber.
- Key highlights from sprint qualifying:
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 1min30s849 – Pole position.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 2nd, 0s018 behind the leader.
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 3rd, reinforcing the team’s strength.
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber): 14th, advancing to SQ2.
A new chapter for Hamilton and Ferrari in Shanghai
Lewis Hamilton entered the 2025 season carrying the weight of a historic move to Ferrari, and the Chinese GP is already hinting at the potential of this partnership. In sprint qualifying, the Briton exceeded expectations by outpacing McLaren, dominant since Norris’s win in Australia, and Red Bull’s Verstappen, the reigning four-time champion. His 1min30s849 lap in SQ3 secured pole, though Hamilton admitted he’s still adjusting to the Ferrari, particularly after a modest ninth-place finish in Melbourne.
Ferrari, which struggled in the season opener, appears to have made critical strides in Shanghai. Adjustments to the front suspension, tested in Bahrain and refined after Australia’s mixed results, have paid off. Hamilton praised the progress but remains cautious, knowing the sprint race on Saturday, March 22, will be the first true test of race pace in dry conditions.
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, finished fourth, solidifying Ferrari’s presence among the frontrunners. The Italian squad, whose last Chinese GP win came in 2019 with Sebastian Vettel, is eager to reclaim its edge in a championship shaping up to be a close fight to the finish.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s 14th place marks a step forward. The Brazilian, a Formula 3 champion in 2023 and Formula 2 runner-up in 2024, faced a rocky debut with Sauber but outqualified veteran teammate Nico Hülkenberg, who will start 19th. Though he reached SQ2, Bortoleto trailed the top 10 by about 0s7, highlighting the Sauber’s limitations in a fiercely competitive field.
- Sprint race grid – Top 10:
- 1st Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari).
- 2nd Max Verstappen (Red Bull).
- 3rd Oscar Piastri (McLaren).
- 4th Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
- 5th George Russell (Mercedes).
- 6th Lando Norris (McLaren).
- 7th Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes).
- 8th Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls).
- 9th Alex Albon (Williams).
- 10th Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
Sprint excitement and weekend expectations
The sprint race, set for midnight on Saturday (Brasilia time), will kick off the weekend’s major action in Shanghai. Covering 19 laps and roughly 100 km, the short-format event awards points to the top eight finishers, with up to eight points for the winner. Introduced in 2021, the sprint has become a fan favorite, and China opens a slate of six such races in 2025, including Miami, Belgium, Austin, São Paulo, and Qatar.
Hamilton, starting from pole, will face Verstappen on the front row, setting the stage for a thrilling launch. The Briton showcased his defensive skills against Verstappen in Australia and now aims for his first Ferrari win. Piastri, in third, poses a threat, with McLaren excelling in straight-line speed, aided by Shanghai’s two DRS zones.
In the midfield, Bortoleto has a chance to gain positions, though Sauber’s lack of pace pits him against stiff competition from Williams, Haas, and Racing Bulls. The Brazilian, who started 15th in Australia, improved in qualifying but knows tire wear, worsened by the track’s fresh surface, could disrupt his strategy.
The Chinese GP schedule remains packed post-sprint. At 4 a.m. on Saturday, drivers return for the main race qualifying, followed by the Grand Prix itself at 4 a.m. on Sunday. With just one practice session on Friday at 12:30 a.m., teams and drivers face a compressed weekend, heightening the stakes.
Full schedule and how to watch the Chinese GP
The Chinese Grand Prix delivers a packed lineup for Formula 1 fans, with timings adjusted to Brazil’s early morning hours due to Shanghai’s time zone. Here’s the complete schedule:
- Friday, March 21:
- Free Practice 1: 12:30 a.m. (BandSports).
- Sprint Qualifying: 4:30 a.m. (BandSports).
- Saturday, March 22:
- Sprint Race: 12:00 a.m. (BandSports).
- Main Qualifying: 4:00 a.m. (Band and BandSports).
- Sunday, March 23:
In Brazil, Band broadcasts the main race and Sunday qualifying live on free-to-air TV, while BandSports covers all sessions on cable. The Shanghai International Circuit, stretching 5.451 meters with 16 corners, is one of the sport’s most iconic venues, hosting its first race in 2004, won by Rubens Barrichello—the only Brazilian to triumph there to date.
What to expect from the sprint and main race
Saturday’s sprint race promises high drama, with Hamilton looking to cement his lead from the start. Verstappen, with 11 sprint wins since the format’s debut, will aim to claw back ground, while Piastri and Norris lean on McLaren’s pace to challenge the leaders. Tire wear, despite Pirelli’s increased minimum pressures for this round, will be pivotal, especially in Shanghai’s high-speed corners.
For Bortoleto, the sprint is a learning opportunity. The Brazilian, hampered by a less competitive car, has shown promise by reaching SQ2 in his first two F1 outings. His goal is to stay in the midfield and avoid trouble, like the collision with Jack Doohan in Australia, to build experience in his rookie year.
Sunday’s main race should escalate the intensity. McLaren, spearheaded by Norris, enters as the favorite after Melbourne, but Ferrari, with Hamilton and Leclerc, aims to prove its mettle. Verstappen and Red Bull, after a subdued start to 2025, remain a wildcard with recent car tweaks.
Hamilton dominates the Chinese GP record books, with six wins (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)—more than any driver. Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg, with two victories each, follow. For Bortoleto, a top-15 finish would be a milestone in his fledgling F1 career.
- Chinese GP trivia:
- First race: 2004, won by Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari).
- Most wins: Lewis Hamilton, with 6 victories.
- Last winner: Max Verstappen, in 2024.
- Track length: 5.451 meters, with 19 laps in the sprint and 56 in the main race.
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