Oscar Piastri triumphed at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, leading McLaren to a dominant one-two finish, with Lando Norris securing second place. The race, however, ended in controversy for Ferrari, as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified after post-race checks revealed technical infringements, upending the results.
McLaren’s Strong Performance
Piastri’s commanding victory confirmed McLaren’s impressive form at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Starting from pole position, the Australian driver held control throughout the race, eventually securing his third career win and his first in China. Norris, his teammate, followed closely behind, finishing second in a race where McLaren’s pace was unmatched.
Mercedes’ George Russell managed to secure third place but finished 11 seconds behind the leading McLaren duo, unable to challenge for the top spots during the race.
Ferrari’s Disqualification Chaos
Post-race drama marred the race results, as Hamilton and Leclerc, who originally finished in fifth and sixth, were both disqualified due to technical infringements. Hamilton’s skid blocks, part of the car’s plank beneath, were found to be worn below the legal limit, breaching ride height regulations. Leclerc’s car was also deemed to be underweight, and both Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly faced disqualifications for failing to meet the required car weight.
As a result, Esteban Ocon of Alpine and Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes were elevated to fifth and sixth place, respectively. Ferrari has yet to comment on the disqualifications, but the incident highlights the fine balance teams must maintain between optimizing performance and adhering to strict regulatory standards.
A Processional Race with Strategic Execution
The race itself was relatively uneventful, with Piastri executing a flawless race strategy. After a clean start, the Australian driver immediately took charge and maintained a comfortable lead throughout. Norris overtook Russell at the start to move into second, while McLaren’s superior pace allowed them to pull away from the rest of the pack.
The battle for third was more competitive, with tire management playing a crucial role. Hamilton and Verstappen were among the first to pit for hard tires, while Norris briefly lost second place to Russell due to an undercut. However, Norris quickly regained the position, aided by a faster pace during the race’s middle stages.
The McLaren drivers, both employing a one-stop strategy, showed excellent tire management and outperformed their rivals in terms of pace and consistency. By halfway, Piastri held a strong lead, with Norris following closely behind. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s quiet race saw him pass Leclerc on lap 53 to claim fourth place by the race’s conclusion.
McLaren’s Resurgence and Strong Performances from Other Drivers
The victory marked McLaren’s 50th one-two finish in F1, a historic achievement for the team, and their first win in Shanghai since 2011 when Hamilton drove to victory for McLaren. The team’s confidence in their car’s balance, grip, and pace was reaffirmed, positioning them as strong early-season contenders.
In the drivers’ standings, Norris remains in the lead with 44 points, followed closely by Verstappen (36), Russell (35), and Piastri (34). McLaren’s resurgence appears legitimate, and the team’s strength at this stage of the season makes them a formidable force in the title race.
Impressive Drives from Bearman and Albon
While the McLaren drivers shone, several others also put in noteworthy performances. British rookie Ollie Bearman impressed with a composed drive, finishing seventh for Haas. Alex Albon followed closely behind in eighth for Williams, while Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Carlos Sainz (Williams) rounded out the top ten.
Final Classification (Post-Penalties)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Ollie Bearman (Haas)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
McLaren and Ferrari in Focus
McLaren’s strong start to the season has sent a clear message to their competitors, with Piastri and Norris showing early promise in their bid for the 2025 title. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s early-season technical setbacks and disqualifications leave their championship hopes in doubt, but the team will likely push for a quick recovery.