What a battle between the Ferraris of Hamilton and Leclerc. In the end the Englishman won, climbing onto the podium behind the Mercedes. It is his first podium since his arrival in Maranello. Fifth place for Oliver Bearman’s Haas, preceding Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, sixth at the finish line, Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) and Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), seventh and eighth respectively. Many retirements before and during the race on the Shanghai circuit. The two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and world champion Lando Norris do not start due to technical problems, but Bortoleto (Audi) and Albon (Williams) are also among those absent on the grid. Over the course of the 56 laps, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and the two Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll also raised the white flag.
“We started very well, I tried to keep the Mercedes behind but it was still one of the most pleasant races for me. Even with Charles there was a very fun and fair fight, a fantastic battle. We touched each other but lightly, but this is the nature of racing, you have to fight. I have to say a huge thank you to Ferrari for bringing us back here. It’s not exactly the position we would like, but we have a great base to build on, we have to push.” Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton said this after third place in the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix. “It’s an honor to be able to share this moment with Kimi, who took my seat – added the Brit speaking of Antonelli’s victory -. Congratulations also to Mercedes”.