Piastri keeps up McLaren's flying restart as Hamilton sees red again

Resurgent team take 50th one-two but Shanghai throws up nasty surprise for Ferrari's drivers, disqualified post-race

- Giles Richards

Now 18 years into his career and hoping to see it out with a flourish, it will not have gone unnoticed by Lewis Hamilton that while McLaren - with whom he started in Formula One all those years ago - are enjoying a heady run of form, his opening with Ferrari has been a more frustrating affair. The teams' fates in the Chinese Grand Prix could not have been in greater contrast and it is doubtful that it would give Hamilton occasion for so much as a wry smile.

In a processional race at Shanghai, McLaren's Oscar Piastri won with a commanding drive from pole and with his teammate Lando Norris behind him they secured McLaren's 50th one-two finish and the team's first of the season. On this form, it will not be the last.

Ferrari, meanwhile, pulled the chocks away and let the scarlet rollercoaster rip. From Hamilton's superb pole and victory in the sprint race on Saturday, the dizzying highs and expectations fell to a dismal low in less than 24 hours. In the race, their car was steadfastly off the pace, fourth fastest behind the McLarens, the Mercedes of George Russell, who was third, and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen in fourth.

It was a troubling enough prospect, given the team seem puzzled as to why their performance is coming and going with insouciant disregard for their feelings. At least they crossed the finish line, albeit in fifth and sixth for Charles Leclerc and Hamilton respectively. As for adding to their points tallies, unfortunately not.