Piastri triumphs in Shanghai: McLaren claims perfect 1-2 finish

Oscar Piastri delivers a flawless performance from pole to flag, leading home teammate Lando Norris for McLaren's first 1-2 finish of the 2025 season at the Shanghai International Circuit.

In a race that showcased precision, strategy, and pure racing talent, Piastri controlled the Chinese Grand Prix with remarkable composure, never relinquishing his lead throughout the 56-lap contest. The Australian, determined to bounce back from disappointment at his home race last week, produced a masterclass in race management to secure a well-deserved victory.

"It's been an incredible weekend from start to finish," Piastri says. "The car's been pretty mega the whole time. This is what I feel like I deserved from last week. The team did a mega job with the 1-2. I'm very, very happy."

The race began with immediate action as George Russell challenged Piastri into Turn 1, but the Mercedes driver was forced to back out and subsequently lost position to Norris. Behind them, championship drama unfolded when Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made contact after both passed Max Verstappen.

Leclerc bounced off the Turn 2 kerb and hit the rear of Hamilton's car, damaging his front wing. Despite this, the Monegasque driver opted to continue without replacement, telling his team: "We can survive."

Fernando Alonso was forced to retire early with brake issues, dramatically reporting "I cannot brake" over team radio before bringing his Aston Martin back to the pits.

While Pirelli had predicted a two-stop strategy as optimal, the race evolved into a fascinating strategic battle with most frontrunners completing just one pit stop. Piastri maintained precise control throughout, keeping Norris just beyond DRS range in the early stages.

The pit stop sequence began on lap 15 when Piastri and Russell came in together, with Norris and Leclerc following a lap later. Russell briefly jumped Norris during this phase but the McLaren driver swiftly reclaimed second place with DRS assistance on lap 18.

Hamilton, after dropping behind Leclerc, opted for an alternative two-stop strategy, fitting fresh hard tires for a late-race charge that ultimately couldn't recover his lost position.

As the race entered its final stages, tension mounted at McLaren when Norris reported brake issues. "My brake is going long," he warned his team, who confirmed the problem would worsen through to the finish, potentially jeopardizing their perfect result.

Despite the mechanical concerns, Norris nursed his car home just 1.3 seconds ahead of Russell, completing McLaren's first 1-2 finish of the season.

Verstappen, who had predicted a difficult race for Red Bull, salvaged fourth place with improved pace in the latter stages, passing Leclerc with a decisive move through the opening complex on lap 53.

The drama continued long after the checkered flag fell, with Leclerc, Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly all disqualified following technical inspections. Leclerc and Gasly failed car weight checks, while Hamilton's car was found with its plank assembly below the permitted minimum thickness.

These disqualifications dramatically altered the final classification, promoting Esteban Ocon to fifth in a standout drive for Haas. Andrea Kimi Antonelli moved up to sixth despite nursing floor damage from the opening lap, with Alexander Albon seventh on his birthday and Oliver Bearman collecting more points in eighth.

Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz completed the revised top ten, the latter continuing his adaptation period with Williams.

Liam Lawson endured another difficult race in the second Red Bull, finishing a distant 12th after starting from the pit lane. The New Zealander's struggles continue amid growing speculation about his future with the team ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

The championship now moves to Suzuka in two weeks' time, with McLaren showing formidable pace and Ferrari suffering a significant setback in their title ambitions following Leclerc's disqualification.

The 2025 Formula 1 season continues with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka from April 4-6.

Final Classification:

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. George Russell (Mercedes)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
5. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
6. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
7. Alexander Albon (Williams)
8. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
9. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
10. Carlos Sainz (Williams)