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Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, has once again etched his name into the history books, securing a stunning pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix. This marks his first pole since joining Ferrari, ending a 12-season stint with Mercedes. While his Ferrari debut at the Australian Grand Prix ended in a disappointing 10th-place finish, Hamilton silenced critics with a blistering performance in Shanghai.
The Briton will start Sunday’s race ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who qualified second and third, respectively. But that’s not all—Hamilton also shattered a long-standing track record, proving he’s far from done.
Hamilton smashes Shanghai track record
In a display of sheer brilliance, Lewis Hamilton clocked a jaw-dropping 1:30.849 at the Shanghai International Circuit, setting a new track record and edging out Verstappen by a mere 0.018 seconds. The achievement sent the crowd into a frenzy, with Ferrari flags waving proudly as Hamilton celebrated atop his scarlet machine.
“I didn’t expect that result, but I’m so happy and so proud,” he admitted post-qualifying. “The last race was a disaster for us, but we knew there was more performance in the car. To come here to a track I love is great. The car came alive from lap one.”
Hamilton’s pole position is a testament to Ferrari’s relentless efforts to fine-tune their machinery.
“We made some great changes. The team did a fantastic job in the break to get the car ready,” he added.
The result not only marks a personal triumph for Hamilton but also signals Ferrari’s resurgence as a formidable force in the 2025 season.
A Battle of Titans: Lewis Hamilton vs. Verstappen
The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as Hamilton lines up alongside Verstappen, his longtime rival. The Red Bull star, known for his unyielding dominance, will start second, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri completes the top three. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, secured fourth, and Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the top five.
However, it wasn’t a perfect day for everyone. Lando Norris, fresh off his victory in Australia, struggled with his McLaren, qualifying sixth after errors on his final laps.
“I made a mistake and locked up in the last corner,” Norris confessed. “We were not quick enough, and I struggled with the car. I need to back off a little bit.”
What’s Next for Hamilton and Ferrari?
With eight points up for grabs in Saturday’s sprint race, Hamilton’s pole position puts him in prime position to capitalize. For Ferrari, this performance is a statement of intent—a reminder that the Prancing Horse is back in the hunt. As Lewis Hamilton continues to defy expectations, one thing is clear: the legend isn’t just chasing records; he’s redefining them.
