Ferrari: circus horse or genius? Hamilton’s first victory means nothing

Lewis Hamilton achieved his first victory in Ferrari. The seven-fold world champion raced in the sprint race in Shanghai Saturday morning as the first about the finish line in front of Oscar Piatri in McLaren and Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. The winner from the first Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne, McLaren-Pilot Lando Norris, did not achieve much in the first short race of the season. Norris, 25 years old, had to be satisfied with eighth place, which was just enough for a World Cup point, while Hamilton joined eight points for first place.

After the disappointing start to the season in Australia, the first little success for the 40-year-old Hamilton came as a surprise.

The Ferraris drove mercilessly in Melbourne. Team colleague Charles Leclerc became eighth, Hamilton landed in tenth place – a bitter bankruptcy that didn’t give any good hope for the following races. The euphoria around the combination of Ferrari and Hamilton received a strong damper.

The announcement of the Hamilton engagement at the Italian racing team and the expectations that are made from it were the big thing last season. The topic parted the duel at the top between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (which he of course decided on himself). When Lewis Hamilton now walks through the paddock in a red racing suit, the wildest dreams arise for fans, media and experts. But as so often with Italian dreams, reality does not want to follow.

There is definitely a risk that one of the biggest racing drivers in Formula 1 history (or the biggest?) To a red circus number at the last meters of his career. Melbourne showed that. Ferrari has to find the connection to McLaren, who have the fastest car at the beginning of the season. Hamilton threatens a real annoyance. Because the big goal of his commitment is the World Cup title and nothing else.

The fact that he is still a great artist even at an upper age has proven his victory in the sprint race. In Shanghai you need a real tire whisperer, the route “eats” the tires literally. Those who don’t drive comfortably fall back. Hamilton has always been a true China specialist. He won six victories here, no other driver won more than two successes.

Already on Friday in sprint qualifying it was good for Hamilton. “I woke up with a good feeling today,” he said on Friday. “I have the feeling that many people underestimated the steep climb that it means to find your way around a new team to acclimatize in a team.” After the start-finish victory on Saturday, he added to the exorbitant expectations: “I don’t feel any pressure. We have to stay calm and take one step after the other,” he said.

Hamilton at least is a realist, his words prove. The fact that the situation currently does not allow World Cup title dreams proved the qualifying for the main race on Sunday (from 7:00 a.m. at Live RTL), which followed after the sprint. The Ferraris weakened there. Hamilton and Leclerc go into the race from position five and six. Ferrari is only number four among the top teams. Despite a Hamilton and the magic he spreads, more is not more in it.

RTL will broadcast the race in Shanghai live on Sunday as one of seven from 7 a.m. that are shown on free TV.

Transparency note:The star is part of RTL Germany.

Sources: Dpa, “”, “”.