Oscar Piastri achieved the perfect weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix as he converted his pole position start to claim his first race win of the season.
It was an impressive end for the Australian star as he managed to hold off his rivals and remain in the lead for almost the entirety of the Shanghai International Circuit.
Having lost his chance to claim a home race win at last week’s Australian Grand Prix, Piastri led home teammate Lando Norris for the McLaren team’s 50th 1-2 finish in F1.
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“The car was very lovely and good work on reacting to the [tyre degredation],” Piastri told his team over the radio.
“Mega job guys. Good team effort, that is one very satisfying weekend.”
Race winner Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes passes his team celebrating on the pitwall LAT Images
“This feels like what I deserved from last week,” he continued in his post-race interview.
“It’s been an incredible weekend, the car has been pretty mega.
“Today was a surprise, how differently the tyres behaved.”
The finish was not a simple task for the McLarens as Norris was left battling a brake pedal issue while defending against a chasing George Russell.
Norris was forced to slow in the final laps, extending the gap between him and Piastri to 9.748 seconds at the finish line.
The British driver’s efforts maintained his position atop of the world driving standings, with McLaren also stretching their lead atop the constructors’ standings.
“Oscar drove well, he deserved the win,” Norris said post-race.
“I’m happy with second, good points and great points for the team with a one-two.”
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 leads Charles Leclerc. Getty
While the McLaren’s soared ahead in the race, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc suffered an early setback in the grand prix.
Leclerc lost part of his front wing on turn three of the opening lap in a minor collision with his seven-time world champion-winning teammate.
Despite the damage costing significant front downforce on a track already hard on tyres, Leclerc somehow kept pace with his teammate, before Ferrari ordered a swap mid-way through the race. He then drove away from Hamilton.
The British star finished 2.1 seconds after his teammate in the final standings, while team Haas saw both their drivers claim points.
Alex Albon secured two points for Williams with a ninth place finish, while Kimi Antonelli came in eighth for Mercedes.
The F1 circus will enjoy a week off, before reconvening at Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix in a fortnight.
