Skip to content
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain. Alamy Stock Photo

Hamilton off the mark for Ferrari, Piastri takes China GP pole

The 40-year-old controlled the 19-lap sprint race from pole to take the chequered flag.

LEWIS HAMILTON roared to his maiden win in Ferrari red in the Chinese GP sprint on Saturday but the man he beat  – McLaren’s Oscar Piastri — later scored his first-ever pole position in main race qualifying.

Piastri will be joined on the front row for Sunday’s 56-lap race by the Mercedes of George Russell after a thrilling day of action at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Hamilton was only fifth in qualifying but the day already belonged to the seven-time world champion.

The 40-year-old controlled the 19-lap sprint race from pole to take the chequered flag in only his second weekend for Ferrari.

It added a sprint victory to his record six grand prix triumphs in Shanghai.

Hamilton was greeted by a crescendo of cheers from the massed fans, who unfurled huge banners displaying his number 44.

“That is a really, really special weekend so far,” the Englishman told reporters.

“China and Shanghai has always been really good to me since my first race here back in 2007. It’s a track that I really do love driving on.

“It’s hard to put into words what it feels like.”

Hamilton later said that Ferrari had altered his car’s set-up for qualifying.

“We made some changes,” Hamilton said.

“Nothing major, but the car was really hard to drive. It wasn’t hugging the road.”

Hamilton enjoyed clean air out in front of the pack during the sprint, but it was clear that tyre degradation was high for any cars trying to follow those in front closely.

“I don’t know how that will affect the pace for tomorrow,” said Hamilton, who will start on the third row alongside teammate Charles Leclerc.

“Everyone showed today it was really difficult to follow.”

The second row for Sunday’s main race will be filled by Piastri’s teammate and championship leader Lando Norris and world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.

 - ‘It means a lot’ -

 Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon completed the top 10.

“It means a lot,” said Piastri of his first grand prix pole position.

“We’ve been close a few times now. To have the first grand prix pole it did mean a bit more.

“Pretty pumped to be honest, I’ve worked hard for it,” added the Australian, who was running second in his home race a week ago before a late spin.

“The start of the season has been strong, just obviously the result in Melbourne was a shame, but I feel like I’ve been doing a good job otherwise.”

Russell was ecstatic to get on the front row alongside Piastri.

“Feels incredible, to be honest,” said the Englishman.

“Did something totally different on that last lap and it all came together.”

Norris finally found some pace after coming eighth in the sprint.

“I’m always disappointed if I’m not on pole but Oscar deserves it today,” said Norris, who won the season-opener in Australia last week.

Verstappen, who is chasing a fifth consecutive world championship, said he may need the front-runners to retire to have a chance in Sunday’s race.

“We are not fast enough. It was tough. But we are working on it and trying to do better,” said the Red Bull driver.

“I feel comfortable, and confident, but sometimes my input is not what I’m getting back from the car and that makes it quite difficult to nail every corner.”

His rookie teammate Liam Lawson continued his terrible start to life at Red Bull after crashing in Melbourne.

The New Zealander could not get his tyres working and for the second-day running was last in qualifying.

“It’s just really tough, honestly,” said a downcast Lawson. ”I just need to get on top of it.”

Esteban Ocon will start 11th followed by Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz.

Then come Pierre Gasly, Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto and Lawson.

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Irish Pain
    Favourite The Irish Pain
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 7:53 PM

    That Munster team should not be losing to that Cardiff team.

    151
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Irish Pain
    Favourite The Irish Pain
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:52 PM

    @The Irish Pain: also think the team hasn’t lost it’s way since Rassie left.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Irish Pain
    Favourite The Irish Pain
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:53 PM

    @The Irish Pain: ***has

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Davoren
    Favourite Anthony Davoren
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:03 PM

    And now we see why Keatley just isn’t of a good international standard. I understand he’s playing his best rugby this season but he isn’t at a high enough level for ireland or back up 10 to sexton. He wasn’t to blame for munster losing but he was anonymous for most parts and is still prone to errors at crucial times.

    122
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shougeki
    Favourite Shougeki
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:40 PM

    @Anthony Davoren: keatley issue is playing with that moron dunc the muppet.

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Irish Pain
    Favourite The Irish Pain
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:51 PM

    @Shougeki: cool the jets with the abuse.

    51
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris McNamara
    Favourite Chris McNamara
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 9:16 PM

    @The Irish Pain: yeah , no need for personal abuse but the half backs, all of them bar Murray obviously are sub standard if munster have any high end ambition going forward !!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shougeki
    Favourite Shougeki
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 11:25 PM

    @The Irish Pain: I dont mean to demean him as a man, and apologies if it came across as abuse but he has no right to be playing professional rugby. I honestly reckon sometimes we would be better off fielding 14 than having “dunc the bunk” on the pitch. He is dreadful. Only munster player i have thought would be better of they picked a randomer from the crowd.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute grandslamkbo
    Favourite grandslamkbo
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 1:17 AM

    @Shougeki: Best Fans In The World TM (c)

    13
    Murf
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Murf
    Favourite Murf
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 1:30 AM

    @Shougeki: keatley is just simply USELESS. He wouldent even make a school team & a Coward as well

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Hekenui
    Favourite Eddie Hekenui
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 2:01 AM

    @Murf: and Shougeki: You pair are an embarrassment to your club and Irish rugby

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Causasua
    Favourite Causasua
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 7:19 AM

    @Shougeki: Agree totally – reminds me of Tomas O’Leary, only worse.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nathan Stone
    Favourite Nathan Stone
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 9:31 AM

    @Causasua: he reminds you of a player selected to tour with the Lions having been a crucial member of a Grand Slam winning side?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter O' Dowd
    Favourite Peter O' Dowd
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:21 PM

    As long as we persevere with Williams we are going nowhere. He is clearly not up to standard which poses the question what are his connections to the top of Munster rugby????? Useless against Zebre two weeks ago and the same tonight. Wouldn’t get near the starting line up of any other pro 14 team.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Munsterman
    Favourite Munsterman
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 7:49 PM

    Dreadful.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Morrissey
    Favourite Daniel Morrissey
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:54 PM

    @Munsterman: it was worse than dreadful!!!!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Murphy
    Favourite Paddy Murphy
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:24 PM

    10 changes didn’t help. But 9 & 10 were very poor. Keatley’s kicking was shocking in the first half. Understandable that he’s released from Carton! Williams kicked all day to absolutely no effect, apart from gifting Cardiff a try & continuously giving them back possession. Poor leadership on the pitch. Game plan did not work for 75% of the game. Our panel is v weak as shown when our internationals are away.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:28 PM

    @Paddy Murphy: panel is strong, it’s literally our halfbacks are the problem.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas McGilly
    Favourite Thomas McGilly
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 12:11 AM

    @thesaltyurchin: Bleyendaal is quality but you need a better 9 than Williams or Hart for sure.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ger gavin
    Favourite ger gavin
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:03 PM

    You cant win rugby matches if you have a poor 9/10 , they contributed to 14 pts by errors

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenneth O Connor
    Favourite Kenneth O Connor
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 7:53 PM

    We should have killed them off when they had rees in the bin. Fair duce to Williams for his contribution but seriously we definitely have better scrum halves in the munster academy. Thought he slowed the game way down which played into Cardiffs hands at a time we should have killed them. We got 1 point when 5 points were there for the taking

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mannion
    Favourite Sean Mannion
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 7:57 PM

    @Kenneth O Connor: What’s the story with James Hart? only getting 10 mins in game like this suggests he’s not rated at all

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:26 PM

    @Sean Mannion: last time he got a run he was worse than Williams. We need Strings 2.0 (kid a Connacht with a bullet pass)

    14
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny A
    Favourite Johnny A
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 9:36 PM

    @Sean Mannion: yeah, what is the story with Hart? Can anybody comment – is Willians a better option or what’s happening there?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:22 PM

    Dreadful watching. Really unimaginative tactics and sloppy execution, still trying to maul win games, and with the same problems at 9 and 10 as 5 seasons ago its no wonder we can’t create anything outside, glad Keatley can crack a wry smile when it puts another one out on the full (are we allowed to talk about how crap he can be again now or still a no go?) at least Williams is gone at the end of the season, you could make a cup of tea in the time he has at the back of a ruc, and it’s still not enough. Ref way off on Cronin, Cardiff deserve the win tho. Least we got a losing bonus I suppose.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Demps
    Favourite Jim Demps
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:28 PM

    @thesaltyurchin: where have you seen that Williams is gone at the end of the season?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:35 PM

    @Jim Demps: Word on the street.

    5
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Casey
    Favourite Daniel Casey
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:47 PM

    @thesaltyurchin: didn’t he sign a new contract recently?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny A
    Favourite Johnny A
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:55 PM

    @thesaltyurchin: whats the story with james hart?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JF Murphy
    Favourite JF Murphy
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 9:11 PM

    @Johnny A: Slept with the wrong persons wife presumably!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Demps
    Favourite Jim Demps
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 10:11 PM

    @thesaltyurchin: I thought he signed a new contract

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David OfBrien
    Favourite David OfBrien
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 1:01 AM

    @thesaltyurchin: Williams has a new 2 yr contract

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Fielding
    Favourite Michael Fielding
    Report
    Feb 17th 2018, 8:09 PM

    So incredibly blunt in attack it’s ridiculous. There’s not the slightest bit of creativity there at all, which lead to them constantly kicking the ball away. No evidence of back moves or anything. Dreadful. The defense in the first half was also shocking.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gibson O Driscoll
    Favourite Gibson O Driscoll
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 12:11 AM

    Williams not good enough. Poland did well last week when he came on. Harte also not at the races. Keats is a confidence player, one wheel comes off they all come off. Not one of his better games but others didn’t cover themselves in glory either. Ref had a howler too though. Missed knock on for 1st try and awarded penalty against Cronin for a legit steal. 10 points. Did I say Williams isn’t good enough.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Demps
    Favourite Jim Demps
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 11:39 AM

    People need to manage their expectations a little bit. Sure we should be beating Cardiff but these blips happen in a season. Especially when you’ve changed your head coach mid season. There has been a huge amount of turmoil over the last 2 years and for me the players have been doing exceptionally well given all that has gone on. For me a successful season will be making a semi in the champions cup and the same in the pro 14. Anything beyond that will be a great season. From there van graan can build during the off season.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob Joe
    Favourite Bob Joe
    Report
    Feb 18th 2018, 1:45 AM

    Duncan Williams masterclass

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a comment

 
cancel reply