Ferrari: F1 pit-lane reporter criticizes Lewis Hamilton’s celebration following Shanghai Sprint victory. Ted Kravitz raises eyebrows over Lewis Hamilton's celebration after Ferrari's Sprint victory.

Lewis Hamilton’s first victory as a Ferrari driver is unique in many ways. While it doesn’t officially add to his record-breaking 105 Formula 1 wins, it still marks an important milestone in his career.

The Shanghai Sprint saw Hamilton claim his first-ever victory in the format—an eye-catching statistic considering it was introduced four years ago. It was also Ferrari’s first Sprint triumph, offering a glimpse of their potential. Martin Brundle believes the seven-time world champion will secure multiple Grand Prix wins this season, making this success a stepping stone rather than a defining moment. However, it was still a historic achievement, as it marked Hamilton’s first pole position and race win in Ferrari red. For team boss Fred Vasseur, it was an encouraging sign after a turbulent start to 2024.

Ted Kravitz questions Lewis Hamilton’s subdued reaction to Ferrari’s Sprint victory in China
Discussing the race on Sky Sports’ ‘F1 Show’ podcast, Ted Kravitz emphasized the significance of Hamilton’s win, calling it “critical.” However, he expressed disappointment that both Hamilton and Ferrari seemed to downplay the result.

While the Sprint carries only a fraction of the weight of a Grand Prix—with just eight points available compared to 25 on Sunday—it still shapes the championship narrative. Ferrari’s double disqualification in China, which left them with only 17 points from two rounds, has fueled speculation about internal struggles.

Despite this, Ted Kravitz found it surprising that Hamilton remained reserved after his victory. Over team radio, he offered a brief “great job” to the team but displayed little emotion, leaving some to wonder why he wasn’t more enthusiastic about his breakthrough moment with the Maranello team.

Ted Kravitz described Hamilton’s Sprint victory as a pivotal moment, emphasizing that he saw it as a significant breakthrough. The Sky Sports F1 reporter expressed disappointment that both Ferrari and other teams seemed to downplay the achievement, dismissing it as “only a Sprint race.” Ted Kravitz also noted that Hamilton’s celebrations appeared somewhat subdued, pointing out that his reaction over the radio was rather restrained. He suggested that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion should embrace the victory more enthusiastically, arguing that the Sprint format still holds importance.

Lewis Hamilton’s Struggles with the SF-25 Evoke Unwanted Memories at the Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties with Ferrari’s SF-25 were on full display during the Chinese Grand Prix, particularly when running with a full fuel load. His ongoing struggles can likely be traced back to pre-season testing, where a mechanical issue prevented him from completing a full race simulation—leaving him without crucial data on long-run performance.

Despite Charles Leclerc suffering wing damage after an early race collision with his teammate, the Monegasque driver still demonstrated superior pace. This dynamic led to an unexpected moment over team radio, one that was not broadcast on the world feed. Hamilton voluntarily suggested allowing Charles Leclerc to pass, and moments later, he moved aside at Turn 1 to let him through.

The exchange was an uncomfortable reminder of a similar moment from last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, where Hamilton, then at Mercedes, offered to yield to George Russell. While the seven-time world champion has sought to put those challenging times behind him, his struggles in China suggest that the transition to Ferrari is not yet as smooth as he had hoped.