Ferrari Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is preparing a “masterplan” to implement after the Chinese Grand Prix qualifying session, where he secured a P5 starting position for Sunday’s race. This follows his dominant performance in the sprint race earlier today, where he claimed victory with a nearly seven-second lead over Oscar Piastri.
Hamilton’s weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit started on a high note—he secured pole position for the sprint race on Friday and went on to achieve his first win with Ferrari. However, during the main race qualifying, he struggled for pace, finishing behind Oscar Piastri, George Russell, and Lando Norris, who claimed the top three spots.
The seven-time world champion attributed some of his qualifying struggles to adjustments made to his SF-25 F1 car. While these changes aimed to enhance race performance, Hamilton admitted they made the car more unpredictable during a single lap. Reflecting on his performance, he acknowledged uncertainty about whether the car’s instability stemmed from these changes or shifting wind conditions.
“We made some adjustments to address earlier issues, but the car felt quite snappy—maybe because of the wind,” Hamilton explained. “The changes were meant to improve race pace, but they made qualifying more challenging. Managing tyre usage will be crucial tomorrow, but I’m optimistic. My focus is on getting a strong start, overtaking at least one car, and gradually moving up the field. Tonight, I’ll work on a masterplan to win and do my best to execute it.”
Hamilton also expressed surprise at Ferrari’s P5 and P6 qualifying positions, admitting that the competitive nature of the 2025 season could lead to unpredictable results. “There will be highs and lows throughout the season,” he said. “I didn’t expect to be starting fifth, but we need to stay composed and adapt to these challenges.”
2025 Chinese Grand Prix Starting Grid:
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2. George Russell (Mercedes)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
9. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
10. Alex Albon (Williams)
11. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
12. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
13. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
14. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
15. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
16. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
17. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
18. Jack Doohan (Alpine)
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
20. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)
