Hamilton Off The Mark For Ferrari, Piastri Takes Pole

Lewis Hamilton roared to his maiden win in Ferrari red in the Chinese GP sprint on Saturday, but the man he beat -- McLaren's Oscar Piastri -- later scored his first-ever pole position in main race qualifying.

- Agence France-Presse

SHANGHAI:

Piastri will be joined on the front row for Sunday's 56-lap race by the Mercedes of George Russell after a thrilling day of action at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Hamilton was only fifth in qualifying, but the day already belonged to the seven-time world champion.

The 40-year-old controlled the 19-lap sprint race from pole to take the chequered flag in only his second weekend for Ferrari.

It added a sprint victory to his record six grands prix triumphs in Shanghai.

Hamilton was greeted by a crescendo of cheers from the massed fans, who unfurled huge banners displaying his number 44.

"That is a really, really special weekend so far," the Englishman told reporters.

"China and Shanghai has always been really good to me since my first race here back in 2007. It's a track that I really do love driving on.

"It's hard to put into words what it feels like."