Australian driver Oscar Piastri secured a commanding victory for McLaren at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, marking the team's first one-two finish of the season. Teammate Lando Norris claimed second place despite battling critical brake issues, while Ferrari faced a double disqualification due to post-race technical violations.
Piastri, who started from pole position, delivered a flawless performance to rebound from a ninth-place finish in Melbourne last week. \"This is what I felt I deserved from last week,\" said the 23-year-old, praising his team's strategic execution. Norris maintained his championship lead with a gritty drive, surviving late-race brake failures that saw him lose nearly four seconds per lap in the final stages.
Ferrari's weekend unraveled completely when Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton – initially fifth and sixth – were excluded for underweight car components and excessive skid wear. The decision reshuffled the constructors' championship standings, boosting Mercedes' George Russell to third and McLaren's lead to 21 points.
The race saw dramatic moments including a mid-race collision between Leclerc and Hamilton, with the Ferrari driver continuing despite a damaged front wing. Red Bull's Max Verstappen completed the podium in fourth after overtaking Leclerc three laps from the finish.
With two races completed, Norris now leads the drivers' standings with 44 points, eight clear of Verstappen. The result underscores McLaren's early-season dominance as teams prepare for next month's Japanese Grand Prix.
