Hamilton hits back at ‘yapping’ critics to win Chinese Sprint race

Lewis Hamilton dominated from pole position to secure his first victory for Ferrari in the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday.

Lewis Hamilton wins Sprint race for Ferrari. Image: @fiagirly/X

Lewis Hamilton has claimed victory in the first Sprint of the 2025 season at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday.

The 40-year-old Ferrari driver stormed to a 6.8-second win to add to his tally of victories in Shanghai and claim his debut P1 for the Scuderia.

After a strong start when the lights went out, Hamilton went on to build a commanding lead and – while it was not entirely smooth sailing, his SF-25 experiencing graining on the tyres at one stage – the seven-time World Champion looked in stunning form across the 19-lap event.

Lewis Hamilton dominates Sprint race

Speaking after the win, the seven-time World Champion slammed critics. Before the start of the season, some F1 fans believed the British driver had passed his peak and Ferrari made the wrong decision by signing him.

Last weekend, Lewis Hamilton struggled in Australia which raised questions on whether the Italian team made the wrong choice by replacing Carlos Sainz. The Brit hit back in style on Friday when he secured pole.

“Today, I woke up feeling great today, it’s beautiful here in Shanghai. We have this amazing crowd!” Hamilton said after winning the Sprint race.

“I really do feel that a lot of people underestimated the steep climb it is to climb and get into a new team, to become acclimated within the team. The amount of critics and people I’ve heard yapping along the way, clearly not understanding – and unaware.” “It felt great to come here and feel comfortable in the car cause in Melbourne I really didn’t feel comfortable in the car. It felt great today!”

Having won the Sprint, Lewis Hamilton shifts his attention to the main race on Sunday.