The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix was off to a thrilling start as Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc clashed on the first lap of the race. The incident, which resulted in damage to Leclerc’s car, sparked early drama in an already high-stakes competition.
As the race kicked off, Hamilton and Leclerc both seized an opportunity presented by Max Verstappen’s wider trajectory through the first turn. Hamilton, the British driver who claimed victory in the Sprint race the previous day, managed to overtake the Red Bull driver on the long right-hand turn. Leclerc, not to be outdone, surged ahead at the apex of the second turn.
However, the diverging paths of the Ferrari drivers led to a dramatic convergence at the apex. Leclerc, clipping the inside kerb, slid and struck the right-rear corner of Hamilton’s car. The collision resulted in a significant loss of downforce for Leclerc, with the left-side endplate of his car being knocked off.
Radioing his team, Leclerc was informed that the damage had cost him between 20 to 30 points of downforce. The goal was then to keep the car running until the first pit stop, where possible repairs could be made. Hamilton, on the other hand, appeared to be unscathed by the incident. His radio transmission revealed a vague awareness of being hit, but he did not identify his teammate as the culprit.
Despite the collision, Hamilton managed to hold his position in the race, trailing closely behind the leading McLarens and George Russell’s Mercedes. Leclerc, demonstrating impressive resilience, kept a close pace behind Hamilton, even with the damage to his car.
David Croft, an analyst for Sky F1, scrutinized the incident, suggesting Hamilton had “squeezed Leclerc”. In response, Martin Brundle explained, “Leclerc got on the kerbs, and it just literally bounced him sideways.” Brundle noted that while Leclerc was forced to counter-steer, Hamilton maintained a traditional line, leading to an unfortunate collision. He concluded that such mishaps are typical of high-pressure, first-lap incidents.
This dramatic event at the Chinese Grand Prix adds another layer of intrigue to the world of Formula 1 racing, underscoring the fierce competition, tactical maneuvering, and split-second decisions that characterize this high-octane sport.