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Lewis Hamilton Remains Grounded After Sprint Victory at Chinese Grand Prix
Following an impressive sprint victory at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective. The driver acknowledged that this win helped silence early skeptics after a challenging performance in Melbourne alongside Ferrari.
Hamilton achieved his first sprint pole for Ferrari, narrowly outpacing reigning world champion Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. He made a strong start on Saturday morning, successfully defending his position into Shanghai’s tricky Turn 1.
Initially, Hamilton faced pressure from Verstappen; however, he effectively utilized the clear air to his advantage, reducing front tire graining while his competitors struggled. Red Bull’s concerns about tire deterioration proved valid, as Verstappen battled with fading front tires. Instead of attacking Hamilton, Verstappen found himself overtaken by Piastri with just four laps remaining.
This fierce competition allowed Hamilton to extend his lead to more than six seconds, resulting in a commanding first sprint win with Ferrari after only two weekends with the team. The seven-time world champion could feel the energy from fans, many of whom displayed banners with his logo.
“In Melbourne, I really didn’t feel comfortable in the car. From lap one here this weekend, I was really feeling on it,” Hamilton stated, reflecting on his contrasting experiences in both races.
“We’ve done a great job with the engineers and the mechanics to really fine-tune the car, and it felt great. Today I got a good start, and with so much grip on this new tarmac, it was really challenging to manage the tires, but I think everyone faced similar difficulties,” he explained.
The stark contrast between Hamilton’s two weekends underscores the complexities of adapting to a new team. The driver pointed out that many people underestimate the significant challenge of acclimating to a new environment, including understanding team dynamics and improving communication.
“I’ve heard numerous criticisms from those who clearly don’t grasp the intricacies of this transition—perhaps because they’ve never experienced it themselves. It was wonderful to arrive here and feel more at ease in the car,” Hamilton shared.
Despite his successful day, Hamilton was cautious about becoming overly optimistic. He recognized the importance of remaining focused as qualifying for the main race approached. “Rome wasn’t built in a day; it’s about taking things one step at a time. We cannot afford to get ahead of ourselves,” he warned.
“We need to be diligent, stay focused, and most importantly, remain calm. While these moments create excitement, we’ll return to our preparations for qualifying later today. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so taking our time is crucial,” Hamilton concluded.
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