Formula 1
Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix 2025 Review: Drama, Disqualifications, and a Weekend Full of Twists in Shanghai
The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit delivered a weekend of intense competition, strategic maneuvers, and unforeseen outcomes, impacting teams across the grid.

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix delivered a spectacle packed with drama, redemption, and heartbreak. The Shanghai International Circuit, returning to the F1 calendar with renewed intensity, played host to a weekend that tested the limits of strategy, reliability, and composure. From McLarenās historic dominance to Ferrariās crushing disqualification, every corner of the paddock had a story. The rain never arrived, but chaos did ā in pit lanes, brake systems, and the stewardsā office. With eight teams scoring points and key contenders faltering under scrutiny, the Chinese Grand Prix reminded the world just how brutal and beautiful Formula 1 can be.
Papaya Perfection: McLarenās Impeccable Execution
McLaren stole the spotlight with a commanding 1-2 finish, their first in China since 2011 and 50th in team history. Oscar Piastri was clinical from pole, managing a defensive launch into Turn 1 before stretching a lead that only briefly slipped during pit cycles. Despite late-race pressure, he stayed cool.
āItās been an incredible weekend; the car has been mega the whole time… weāve secured this result through hard work.ā
Teammate Lando Norris fought through a mid-race traffic jam and a heart-stopping late brake issue but brought the car home for P2. āA tough race with tyre management,ā Norris admitted, ābut the team executed it well.ā
Team Principal Andrea Stella praised both drivers: āWe were managing an issue towards the end which added some tension, but Lando and the team handled it brilliantly.ā
Silver Linings at Mercedes: Russell Leads, Antonelli Learns
George Russell flew the flag for Mercedes, delivering a smooth and strategic drive to finish third ā his second podium in as many races. āP3 was the maximum for us today,ā he said. āThe McLarens were just a little bit too quick.ā Russell executed a clever undercut to leapfrog Norris momentarily but ultimately lacked the pace to maintain it.

Russel P3 (Credits: mercedesamgf1)
Rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli wasnāt as lucky. Floor damage from lap one debris left him fighting the car all race. āI struggled with the rear… it definitely hindered my pace,ā he said after finishing eighth. Still, both cars scored points, and Mercedes left Shanghai satisfied with steady momentum.
Red Bullās Recovery: Verstappen Climbs, Lawson Slips
Max Verstappen endured a sluggish start, dropping places early but clawed back to P4 by raceās end ā showing once again his ability to maximize difficult days. Red Bull went aggressive with tyre strategy, and while Verstappen managed his mediums and hards well, he never had the pace to challenge McLaren or Mercedes.

āThe beginning, it was not easy,ā said Verstappen (Credits: Formula1)
Teammate Liam Lawson, however, struggled. A miscalculated setup and balance issues saw him finish outside the points in 12th. The team acknowledged they were āsurprised by the lack of gripā and will be looking to regroup quickly ahead of Japan.

There’s speculation in the paddock about Tsunoda swapping teams with Lawson as early as the Japanese Grand Prix. (Credits:formula1)
Ferrariās Fall: From Points to Penalty
Ferrari’s day unravelled hours after the checkered flag. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified post-race ā Leclerc for an underweight car, and Hamilton for excessive plank wear. On track, both had been competitive, with Leclerc in podium contention and Hamilton salvaging points after a tough qualifying. But the stewardsā rulings erased all gains. āIt’s gutting,ā a Ferrari spokesperson said. āThese werenāt performance-enhancing issues, but the rules are the rules.ā
The double DQ cost Ferrari a potential double top-six finish and sent shockwaves through the paddock. Meanwhile, the disqualification handed unexpected points to Haas, Williams, and others.
Midfield Madness: Haas, Williams and Alpine Seize the Shake-Up
Haas turned fortune into results. Esteban Ocon, cool and consistent, finished fifth, while rookie Oliver Bearman brought it home in P8 after Hamilton and Leclercās DQs. āA fantastic result for the whole team,ā said Haas boss Ayao Komatsu.
Williams had a mixed but encouraging weekend. Albon recovered from a poor start, led briefly during a long first stint, and finished 7th on his birthday after late-race gains and post-race disqualifications. Sainz continued to struggle with pace but his first points for Williams, finishing 10th after disqualifications. Albon praised the teamās progress, saying the points showed āvaluableā improvement. Team boss James Vowles credited strong teamwork and backed Sainz to bounce back.

Alpine had a mixed day: Pierre Gasly was disqualified like Leclerc for an underweight car, while Jack Doohan saw points finish slip away due to a five-second penalty for forcing another car off track. The FIA cited āpotentially dangerous driving,ā bringing Doohanās total to 5 points ā just 7 shy of a race ban. āWeāll regroup, but weāre clearly leaving points on the table,ā Alpine admitted. Jack Doohanās tough weekend in Shanghai got worse post-race, as he was handed 4 penalty points on his super licence.
Points, Pitfalls, and Pain for Aston, Bulls & Sauber
Aston Martin had a bittersweet Sunday. Fernando Alonso was the raceās only retirement, sidelined early by overheating rear brakes. Lance Stroll, however, ran long on hards and was rewarded post-race with P9 after disqualifications. āWe just arenāt quick enough,ā Stroll admitted, despite battling hard.
Racing Bulls suffered another strategic misfire. Their two-stop gamble backfired in cooler conditions, dropping both cars out of the points. Isack Hadjar finished a close P11, narrowly missing his first F1 point. Yuki Tsunodaās late front wing failure sealed a forgettable day. āFrustrating,ā said Team Principal Laurent Mekies, ābut the pace is there.ā
Kick Sauber endured a rough opening lap that derailed their race. Nico Hülkenberg picked up floor damage after a wide moment in Turn 3, while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto spun early and spent the race learning the limits. Both cars finished, but out of the points. āEncouraging final stint pace,ā said Beat Zehnder, ābut still work to do.ā
2025 Chinese Grand Prix ā 5 Key Highlights
- Oscar Piastri led McLaren to a dominant 1-2 finish ahead of Lando Norris, marking the teamās 50th one-two and first in China since 2011.
- Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly were disqualified post-race, reshuffling the final results and handing unexpected points to several midfield teams.
- George Russell secured P3 for Mercedes, while Max Verstappen recovered from a poor start to finish fourth; Liam Lawson finished outside the points.
- Esteban Ocon scored a strong P5 for Haas, Albon finished P7 on his birthday for Williams, and Carlos Sainz took his first points with the team.
- Alonso retired early due to brake failure, Stroll was promoted to P9, Racing Bulls’ two-stop strategy backfired again, and both Kick Sauber cars finished outside the points after early setbacks.
Next Race
All eyes now turn to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, where teams will be looking to build momentum or bounce back after Shanghaiās shake-up. The fast, flowing corners of this iconic track demand precision and balance ā a true driverās circuit that often separates the contenders from the midfield. For McLaren, itās a chance to prove their pace is no fluke. Red Bull and Ferrari will be eager to rebound, especially amid growing speculation of a possible driver swap between Lawson and Tsunoda. With just ten days to reset, the stage is set for another high-stakes showdown in Japan.
Drivers’ Standing
Constructors’ Standings
Desi Racing Co. brings you the latest updates and insights from Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, and more! Stay connected for in-depth motorsport analysisāfollow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn for all the latest news and updates.
Formula 1
Formula 1 British Grand Prix Review: The Race Of A Lifetime
The Formula 1 British Grand Prix was a story to tell for most drivers. A dream podium, a home race win, rain chaos, and multiple DNFs, the British GP had everything on offer.

Whenever Formula 1 visits Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, it always comes out with one hell of a weekend, and this race was no different. It had everything you would want when you’re sitting in front of the screen on a Sunday afternoon with a drink in hand. There was rain, there was chaos, there was even Nico Hulkenberg on the podium, a race full of uncertainties.
Controversial Home Race Win
Lando Norris made it two wins in a row on Sunday, beating teammate Oscar Piastri to the finish line. Oscar led most of the race until a 10-second time penalty for reckless driving was given to him after he slammed on the brakes aggressively, causing Max Verstappen to take evasive action. Soon after the restart, Mav was overtaken by Lando Norris, which put him in the net race lead. Which shortly after the pit stop onto slicks, turned into P1 on track as Oscar served his penalty.
Lando joined the club of 8 time race winners, an A-list with some great names, and what a way to do it by winning your home race.
Hulkenburg Counters The Odds
Nico Hulkenberg writes a story of his own, 239 Race Starts, and the man in green has gotten himself and Sauber a podium. After 15 long years, the wait came to an end, and the stars finally aligned. Following the rainy chaos, Nico made all the right calls to propel himself up the order. He was running P4 behind Lance Stroll, where an overtake on the Aston followed shortly after.
In the dying laps, he was being chased by a desperate Lewis Hamilton in Scarlet Red. However, he kept his cool and achieved what everyone thought was impossible.
Wonderful commentary, beautiful scenes š#F1 #BritishGP @stakef1team_ks pic.twitter.com/rgbdm2P1EP
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 6, 2025
The Streak Ends With Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton had a 13-year-long streak of scoring podiums at his home race. However, the tale must come to an end. Lewis Hamilton fell one position short of the podium, a valiant effort from the Brit. He expressed his disappointment in a post-race review, saying he was not at all happy about the race.
Lewis Hamilton's podium streak at the British Grand Prix has ended š¬š§ā pic.twitter.com/7cREhBsBTk
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 7, 2025
Charles Leclerc, on the other side of the garage, had a worse day. Jumping the gun on the slick tires early was a gamble he made, but it was a gamble that did not work. Later on, he struggled with tires following a series of VSCs, he even had an off at Beckets, cutting across the grass to add to his dismay. At the end, no points were scored by the Monegasque, a day to write off for him.
Mercedes Missed Out On An Opportunity
Following reports of talks between Max and Mercedes, they were in the spotlight coming into this weekend. A decent qualifying from the pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli gave them a fighting chance on Sunday. George called the change onto slicks at the end of the formation lap, and Kimi was rear-ended by Isack Hadjar, causing heavy damage to his diffuser, resulting in a retirement. George kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time, ultimately crossing the line in P10, scoring one singular point.

Verstappen Struggles On Track
Red Bull ran a low downforce setup for the race, which cost them when a rain shower had showered on the track. Max was caught sliding on multiple corner exits due to the lack of downforce. Despite this, he held a strong challenge for the starting half of the race. However, at the Safety Car restart, he had a spin on the entry of the Vale chicane.

A good recovery by the Dutchman limited damage and placed him P10. From there, a decent effort to fight back moved him up into P5, scoring decent points. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda found it difficult, saying he did not know why the pace of the car disappeared in the race. He finished P15, last of the classified drivers.
Williams Return To Points
After a treacherous recent few rounds for the Williams outfit, finally, some luck struck with a points finish. Although Carlos missed out on points by a slim margin, teammate Alex Albon scored a respectable P8 in changing conditions
That's a wrap on the British GP š¬š§
— Atlassian Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) July 6, 2025
A tough race in changing conditions, but we add another four points to the tally š@Myprotein #DrivenbyMyprotein pic.twitter.com/yRLNWKraok
Aston Get Two Cars Into The Top 10
Both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso secured a points finish on Sunday, even though both of them complained about the car and the package after the race.
Lance, at one point, was running in the podium positions, but he was overtaken by Nico shortly after. He ended up crossing the line in P6. Tire degradation was a prominent issue in the car, according to him in a post-race interview.
Fernando scored P8, but he showed frustration at the team’s strategy and how they always get it wrong for him.
Race Results
THE TOP 10 AT SILVERSTONE š#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/FKv8RznzUm
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 6, 2025
Standings
DRIVER STANDINGS (12/24 races)
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 6, 2025
Piastri's lead is cut to eight points š#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/hXuMhyUOmP
TEAM STANDINGS (after 12 rounds)
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 6, 2025
Hulkenberg's podium sees @stakef1team_ks move up three places to sixth! š#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/DHN0ca6MxU
Next Round In Spa
For the next race weekend, we head to the hilly forest of Spa-Francorchamps. A part home race for Lando and Max. The high-speed spectacle is sure to put on a show, the longest track on the F1 Calendar includes many overtaking spots and iconic corners such as Eau Rouge and Radillon
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether itās Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weāve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
Formula One’s Constant: The British GP

The F1 Paddock heads to Silverstone this weekend. The place where it all started. Silverstone is one of the most historic tracks on the Formula 1 Calendar.
The 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix roars into Silverstone this weekend, bringing with it a fierce championship battle, homegrown heroes, and the electric atmosphere only this iconic circuit can deliver. As Round 12 of a tightly contested season, all eyes are on McLarenās Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, currently locked in a close title fight as they look to extend their dominance on home soil. Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton returns to his home Grand Prix in Ferrari red, adding another layer of drama for British fans. With sell-out crowds, unpredictable weather, and the historic weight of Silverstone, this year’s race promises to be one of the most thrilling yet.
About The Track

(credit – f1.com)
Silverstone Circuit is renowned as one of Formula 1ās most iconic and challenging tracks, blending high-speed straights with a technical mix of sweeping corners. Measuring 5.891 kilometers, the former RAF airfield is a true test of car balance and driver bravery, especially through legendary sections like Maggots, Becketts, and Chapel, where rapid directional changes demand razor-sharp precision. The trackās fast-flowing nature rewards aerodynamic efficiency and cornering stability, making it a favourite among drivers. With unpredictable British weather often playing a role, and overtaking opportunities at corners like Stowe and Vale, Silverstone delivers both strategic complexity and spectacular racing action year after year.
Pirelli’s Specifications
The midpoint of the season sees Formula 1 return to where it all began 75 years ago. Read more here šhttps://t.co/TipE2j5mh5 #BritishGP #f1 pic.twitter.com/H8WP1t3I9s
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) July 1, 2025
Stories This Weekend
Special Liveries
McLaren dropped a gorgeous livery for their home race in Silverstone. A lot of chrome on the car to keep them standing out on track. This is a throwback to their iconic Vodafone Chrome livery in the late 200s
Chrome is where the heart is š§”š¬š§#F1 #BritishGP @McLarenF1 pic.twitter.com/91mdRHAYgr
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 3, 2025
VCARB also brought out a fancy spray paint livery after a good result for them in Austria.
Sprayed for Silverstone šØš¬š§@visacashapprb unveil a bold new livery for the British Grand Prix, designed by artist, Slawn š¤©#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/gnr2HtDQcf
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 1, 2025
Hamilton At Home In Red
Lewis Hamilton makes his first appearance at home for the Scarlet Outfit. He has a record of a 14-year-long streak of top 3 finishes at his home race. He will be looking to keep that going coming into this weekend.
Rumours Of Verstappen x Mercedes
Sky Sports Italy put out a post on X saying that talks are in advanced stages between Max and Mercedes, George Russel and Max’s future remains uncertain at this stage. George expressed his will to stay at Mercedes for the foreseeable future.
F1 Movie Release
The long awaited F1 Movie produced by Lewis Hamilton starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris makes its first appearance in the big screens. With a lot of positive reviews, the movie is a recommended watch.
Weekend Schedule
š | Here is the Weekend Schedule for Formula 1's š¬š§ British GP and DTM round at š©šŖ Norisring.
— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) June 30, 2025
Note: All timings mentioned are in š®š³ Indian Standard Time.#F1 #Formula1 #BritishGP #DTM #Norisring pic.twitter.com/vDnOcIKCRJ
Weekend Forecast
Friday: 22°C, Wind 29 km/h, 10% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 24 km/h, 45% chance of rain
Sunday: 21°C, Wind 24 km/h, 10% chance of rain.
It’s windier than usual, making cars unpredictable. Droplets of rain are expected during Qualifying
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether itās Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weāve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
Austrian GP Review: Lando Withers The Storm, Piastri Falls Short, Sauber Double Points
A scintillating Austrian GP brought out the best of our Championship Leaders. From Lando and Piastri’s tussle on track, Antonelli misjudges his braking zone and takes out Verstappen, Lawson P6, and Sauber, getting both cars in the points! The race in Spielberg had a lot to offer.

A scintillating Austrian GP brought out the best of our Championship Leaders. From Lando and Piastri’s tussle on track, Antonelli misjudges his braking zone and takes out Verstappen, Lawson P6, and Sauber, getting both cars in the points! The race in Spielberg had a lot to offer.
McLaren Top The Charts

Lando Norris scored a near-perfect weekend, topping every session he participated in. Formula 2 rookie Alexander Dunne got a taste of Formula 1 in FP1, setting a lap just two-tenths away from the top time that session.
Lando topped the sheets in Qualifying, landing him a clear road ahead for the start of the Austrian GP. Lando got away well at the beginning, maintaining his lead. A 21-lap-long attack from his teammate Piastri for the lead of the race was long and intense. It brought out the best that the Leaders had to offer, with no room for error; maintaining the lead was crucial for a strategic advantage.
Lando was holding off his teammate, giving him priority in the pit stops. Piastri employed an overcut strategy and attempted an attack on Lando in the dying stages of the Austrian GP. However, passing backmarkers who were in a battle of their own wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
At the line, the McLarens crossed the line P1 and P2, scoring maximum points for the team and making the WDC Battle a whole lot more interesting.
Our championship leader bags more valuable points šŖ#F1 #AustrianGP @OscarPiastri pic.twitter.com/Iz21c6XLrc
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2025
Ferrari Scores Valuable Points
The team in P2 of the Constructors scored big points on Sunday, with Charles Leclerc scoring P3 and Lewis Hamilton falling short of the podium in P4. However, it was not sunny days for the Scarlet Outfit. Once again, another miscommunication and strategy blunder by the Ferrari team ruled out any opportunity for Lewis to move up the field. With 20 laps to go in the race, Lewis Hamilton was on the Hard compound tires and wanted to run to the end on that set, possibly. Ferrari ignored that call and brought Lewis into the pits anyway.
Two Sides Of The Coin for Mercedes
Rookie Kimi Antonelli got into trouble early on in the Austrian GP, misjudging the braking point in T3 and running into the back of Max Verstappen and ending both their races prematurely on Lap 1.
George Russell was our race winner last race weekend in Canada; however, this time, the package wasn’t present. He was 60s off the leading pair, finishing P5.
Sauber Scores Double Points
For the first time in a while, Sauber dragged both their cars into the points, with Gabriel Bortoleto in P8 and Nico Hulkenberg in P9. The upgrade package seems to be working for Sauber.
Sauber has outscored Red Bull over the last 3 races. Sauber has scored 20 points, whereas Red Bull has scored 19.
Williams Faces Issues
Williams has not had the most incredible run of races in the most recent rounds. This round, however, was much worseāa double DNF for the prestigious British outfit. Carlos Sainz was on the back foot all weekend long. A stalled car on the formation lap was the cherry on top. Even though he was able to get the car running, an early retirement led to disappointment.
His teammate had no better luck, facing a DNF as well.
DOUBLE POINTS FINISH šš
— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) June 29, 2025
What a race! Both drivers bring home points at the #AustrianGP š¦š¹ pic.twitter.com/mn6veUtx2G
Other Notable Performances
Liam Lawson scores his best result of the season, earning a well-deserved P6 for the VCARB driver, which secures him some much-needed points.
Fernando Alonso crossed the line in P7, making it points scored in 4 consecutive races for the Spaniard. It was a massive comeback after what was considered his career-worst start to the season.
Esteban Ocon landed Haas a single point; a very well-run, under-the-radar race brings home a valuable point.
Austrian GP Results
š RACE CLASSIFICATION š
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2025
Lando Norris takes the chequered flag for the third time this season ššš#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/Ta8ZpRIfZE
Standings
DRIVER STANDINGS (after 11/24 rounds)
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2025
Norris closes the gap to Piastri to 15 points š#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/z1pk0XbjKN
TEAM STANDINGS (after 11 rounds)
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2025
McLaren's 1-2 sees them extend their lead further š#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/UiGGXABgeM
Next Race In Silverstone
Its Lewis Hamilton’s first home race in red! He’ll be looking to continue his 11 year long record of finishing in the top 3 in Silverstone.
The WDC gap closes and gets tense.
Mercedes and Verstappen look for redemption.
Williams look for solid ground.
Desi Racing Co.Ā is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether itās Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weāve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us onĀ Twitter/X,Ā Instagram, andĀ LinkedInĀ to keep up with the latest motorsport newsĀ andĀ updates.
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