The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, at Shanghai International Circuit, was a remarkable weekend, with both a Sprint Race and regular Grand Prix Sunday. Let’s review what happened at the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
Ferrari Dominate Sprint Qualifying and Sprint Race
After putting his car in fourth in the first practice, Lewis Hamilton definitely wanted to make first place a happy place for him this weekend. Hamilton had an amazing Sprint qualifying by putting his car on pole for the Sprint Race, with Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in second place.
Charles Leclerc was also up there in the Sprint section of the weekend. He finished the only Free Practice session of the weekend in second position, while he could only manage P4 in the Sprint Qualifying. Leclerc ended the Sprint Race in fifth position, so scored some points for his team.
The Ferrari drivers looked like they were going to get a good points haul in Sunday’s Grand Prix but sadly it wasn’t meant to be, as both cars were disqualified. Hamilton’s car was found to have excessive wear on its skid block (so was under regulated length) and Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight.
Red Bull Ups and Downs
Max Verstappen showed consistently high performance this weekend. On Friday, he qualified second for the Sprint Race, but could only manage P3 in the Sprint Race on Saturday morning. In Grand Prix qualifying, Verstappen put his Red Bull onto the second row in third position. After a slow start on Sunday, Verstappen ended the race in sixth, and was then promoted into P4 following the disqualification of the Ferrari cars.
Meantime, Liam Lawson had another unsatisfactory weekend. In both qualifying sessions, the Red Bull driver could only manage P20. He did not score points in either the Sprint Race or the main grand prix. Rumours are circulating about his security in the second Red Bull seat.
Red Bull’s performance so far raised several questions: Will Lawson improve? Will Verstappen get a win soon?
Mercedes Keeping in the Top Ten
The Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli did a good job keeping the points all weekend. Russell achieved a second consecutive podium with third place in Sunday’s race. This marked Mercedes’ 300th podium in Formula One. He also came fourth in the Sprint Race.
Antonelli was slightly behind Russell all weekend, but nevertheless gave another great performance considering this is only his second Formula One race. He got points in both the Sprint Race and Grand Prix Sunday, coming seventh and sixth respectfully.
McLaren Fastest of the Fastest
The McLaren duo were definitely fast this weekend, achieving a 1-2 in the Grand Prix, and obtaining a good points haul from the Sprint Race. Oscar Piastri drove well in Saturday’s qualifying to get his first pole in Formula One, which he then converted into a race win in Sunday’s grand prix. Piastri also achieved a podium in the Sprint Race, finishing in P2 behind Hamilton.
Lando Norris was slightly behind Piastri. He scored the final point in the Sprint Race, finishing in eighth position. Sunday’s race proved more fruitful. Norris drove to a P2 finish, just behind his teammate. This points haul keeps him firmly in first place in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
This 1-2 in the Shanghai takes the McLaren team 21 points clear of second place Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Double Points for Haas
Haas had a great weekend in China. Although neither car scored in the Sprint Race, both cars were in the top ten in Sunday’s race. Following the disqualifications, Esteban Ocon claimed P5, while rookie Oliver Bearman claimed P8. This is a great result for Haas, and catapults them into sixth place in the Constructors’ standings.
Racing Bulls
Neither VCARB scored in the main race, however they still had things to celebrate. Isack Hadjar made VCARB history by achieving the team’s highest qualifying result in China since 2013. Yuki Tsunoda finished in sixth in the Sprint Race, earning three points.
Sauber
China was a difficult weekend for the Kick Sauber team, with a worse result overall than last week in Australia. Neither Gabriel Bortoleto nor Nico Hulkenberg finished in the points in either race. Sauber is now eighth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso had another retirement, meaning he is yet to finish a grand prix race this season. He lasted five laps before retiring with braking issues. His rear brakes were, at one point, on fire.
Lance Stroll had a better weekend than his teammate, gaining two points from the main race. This adds to the points he achieved in Australia and leaves him in eighth place in the Drivers’ Championship.
Williams
Williams overall had a better weekend in China than it did in Australia. Although they gaining fewer points than they did in the previous race, in Shanghai both drivers were in the points. With this, Williams hold fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, equal on points with Ferrari.
No Points in Sight for Alpine
For a second weekend in a row, Alpine obtained no championship points. They currently sit in tenth place in the Constructors’ Championship standings. Pierre Gasly, who ended both races outside of the points scoring positions, was ultimately disqualified from the main grand prix race after failing the FIA’s post race checks. Jack Doohan, however, is making improvements with each session. Although he is yet to score, this is a positive for the team.
Written by Ellie and Alexandra.
Featured Image Credits: bbc.co.uk
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