Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese GP: A “Big Confidence Boost” Despite Disqualification

Lewis Hamilton’s second full race weekend with Ferrari was anything but ordinary. From sprint race glory to a heartbreaking disqualification in the main event, the seven-time world champion’s rollercoaster weekend in Shanghai has left fans debating his performance. But according to F1 pundit Billy Monger, Hamilton’s strong showing—particularly in the sprint—should give him a “big confidence boost” moving forward.

Dominating the Sprint: Hamilton Shows His Ferrari Potential

Hamilton entered the Chinese Grand Prix weekend determined to make a statement after a frustrating start to the 2025 season. The Brit wasted no time in proving his worth, delivering an exceptional performance in the sprint format.

After securing pole position in sprint qualifying, Hamilton put on a masterclass in the sprint race, dominating the field and crossing the finish line more than six seconds ahead of his nearest rival. It was his first sprint victory with Ferrari and a glimpse of the raw speed and racecraft that made him a seven-time world champion.

Beyond the win itself, Hamilton’s performance sent a powerful message: he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. The Ferrari SF-25 may not be the fastest car on the grid, but in Hamilton’s hands, it looked capable of challenging for victories under the right circumstances.

Main Race Struggles and Disqualification Drama

Despite the sprint success, Hamilton faced a tougher challenge on Sunday. He managed to out-qualify his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc for the Grand Prix, securing fifth place on the grid. However, once the race got underway, it became clear that Ferrari still had work to do.

While Hamilton fought hard, he lacked the outright pace needed to challenge McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull. Early in the race, a minor collision with Leclerc at the first corner caused damage to the Monegasque’s front wing. Though both drivers continued, it was Leclerc who eventually had better pace, leading to a team-ordered swap between the two.

The disappointment of finishing outside the podium places was compounded after the race when Ferrari suffered an unprecedented double disqualification. Hamilton’s car was found to have excessive skid block wear—meaning his car’s plank had worn down too much, violating F1’s strict ride-height regulations. Meanwhile, Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight by 1kg, leading to both Ferrari drivers being removed from the final race classification.

It was a historic and costly mistake for the Italian team, marking Ferrari’s first-ever double disqualification in their 75-year history.

Billy Monger: Why Hamilton Should Be Encouraged

Despite the disqualification, F1 pundit and former racer Billy Monger believes Hamilton should take plenty of positives from his Shanghai performance. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Monger explained why Hamilton’s strong weekend was a crucial step forward in his Ferrari journey.

“It was great to see Lewis win in his second actual race for Ferrari because there’s been a lot of talk around that move,” Monger said.
“It’s been one of the biggest things that has happened in Formula 1 across the entirety of the sport really—seeing Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, in a Ferrari.”

Monger emphasized that while the disqualification was unfortunate, Hamilton’s performances—particularly in the sprint—proved that he still has race-winning potential in his new team.

“It was a really strong weekend for Lewis and although the result for the main Grand Prix has gone out of the window with being disqualified, it will be a big confidence boost for him and his relationship with the team.”

The transition to a new team is never easy, but Monger believes Hamilton is already proving his worth.

“Moving to a new team can be tough, but he’s obviously proved when they get it right, he’s capable of winning races—which is exactly what he’s gone there to do.”

Ferrari’s Tough Start to F1 2025

While Hamilton’s individual performances showed promise, Ferrari’s overall start to the 2025 season has been far from ideal.

After two races, Ferrari are level on points with Williams—a worrying sign for a team expected to be fighting for wins. In Australia, Ferrari struggled as the fourth-fastest team behind McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. Poor strategy calls compounded their struggles, as the team left both drivers out on slick tires during wet conditions, leading to a disastrous finish.

China provided some signs of improvement, particularly with Hamilton’s sprint success, but Ferrari were still outmatched in the main event. Both McLaren and Mercedes looked stronger on race day, leaving Ferrari searching for answers as they look ahead to the next Grand Prix.

What’s Next for Hamilton and Ferrari?

Despite the disqualification setback, Hamilton has every reason to feel optimistic about his progress with Ferrari. The sprint win showed that, under the right conditions, he can still dominate races. However, the main challenge will be translating that success into consistent podium finishes on Sundays.

Ferrari must now focus on refining their race-day performance and avoiding costly technical mistakes. If they can do that, Hamilton could yet emerge as a serious contender in his debut season with the team.

As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Ferrari and Hamilton to see if they can bounce back. One thing is certain: Lewis Hamilton is far from done, and if Shanghai is any indication, he’s only getting started.