Speed & Styled: Racing Through Shanghai, Fashion, and the Heat of Thermal
Photo Credit: Formula 1 Twitter
Formula 1
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Formula 1 〰️
FP1
FP1 at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix gave us a glimpse of what to expect this weekend. Lando Norris topped the session with a 1:31.504, looking strong right out of the gate. Charles Leclerc followed in P2, about half a second behind, while Oscar Piastri rounded out the top three.
The session was briefly halted when Jack Doohan's Alpine lost power steering, forcing him to stop on track and bringing out a red flag. Alpine later confirmed he’d need a new power unit—not the way he wanted to start the weekend.
Tire graining was a big talking point, with the Shanghai circuit's long corners giving teams something to think about. Meanwhile, Red Bull had a rough session, with Max Verstappen finishing way down in P16 and Liam Lawson in P18.
With just one practice session before the Sprint, teams had to make every lap count. Now, all eyes are on how they'll adapt for the rest of the weekend!
Sprint Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton took pole for the Sprint in China—his first with Ferrari—after a thrilling qualifying session. He set a 1:30.849, edging out Max Verstappen by just 0.018 seconds. Oscar Piastri secured P3, only 0.080 seconds off pole, showing McLaren’s strong pace.
The session started with tricky track conditions as drivers struggled with tire warm-up. In SQ1, Liam Lawson had a tough time, failing to find pace and ending up last. SQ2 saw Lando Norris make a mistake on his final lap, leaving him down in P6, while Charles Leclerc couldn’t quite match Hamilton’s pace and settled for P5.
In the final shootout, Hamilton’s Ferrari looked hooked up, and he nailed the last sector to snatch pole from Verstappen at the last moment. Red Bull didn’t seem as dominant, with Verstappen barely missing out and Lawson struggling at the back.
With Hamilton leading the grid, the Sprint race was shaping up to be a showdown between Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren—setting the stage for an exciting battle ahead.
Sprint Race
The first Sprint of the season saw Lewis Hamilton take his first win with Ferrari, delivering a dominant performance from pole. He controlled the race from the start, strategically managing his pace to force Max Verstappen into early tire struggles. As Verstappen’s grip fell away, Hamilton pulled clear, crossing the line with a 6.8-second lead.
Verstappen looked set to finish second, but Oscar Piastri had other plans. The McLaren driver, who had already been on Sprint podiums before, stayed close throughout the race and, in the final laps, made a decisive move to snatch P2.
One of the biggest talking points of the race came right at the end when Jack Doohan was handed a 10-second post-race penalty for causing a collision on the final lap. The Alpine driver made an aggressive move in the midfield that ended in contact, dropping him out of the points once the penalty was applied. It was a tough blow for Doohan, who had shown solid pace throughout the race.
With the Sprint wrapped up, attention turned to Sunday’s main race. If that was any indication, the Chinese Grand Prix was shaping up to be a thriller.
Qualifying
Oscar Piastri secured his first-ever Formula 1 pole position during a thrilling qualifying session for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix. The McLaren driver put in a stunning lap of 1:30.641, setting a new lap record at the Shanghai International Circuit and edging out George Russell by just 0.082 seconds.
Russell, driving for Mercedes, took second with a time of 1:30.723, while Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, rounded out the top three with a 1:30.793.
Max Verstappen, who had been strong throughout the weekend, qualified fourth with a 1:30.817, followed by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in fifth at 1:30.927. Charles Leclerc, also in a Ferrari, took sixth, just a tenth behind Hamilton.
There were some standout performances further down the grid, with Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls qualifying seventh, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes rookie, in eighth. Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon completed the top ten, qualifying ninth and tenth respectively.
A couple of big names missed out on Q3, with Fernando Alonso starting 13th and Carlos Sainz Jr. down in 15th, marking a tough qualifying session for both.
Piastri’s pole position marks a major milestone in his career and highlights McLaren’s strong form heading into the race. It also sets the stage for an exciting race on Sunday, with Piastri leading a talented grid.
Race
The 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit was full of surprises and drama. McLaren came out on top, with Oscar Piastri leading the team to a dominant 1-2 finish, while his teammate Lando Norris showed incredible resilience to secure second place, even though he was driving a car with no brakes toward the end of the race. It was one of the most impressive drives I’ve seen in a while – Lando’s ability to hold on to that second spot despite such a massive challenge speaks volumes about his skill and determination.
Mercedes’ George Russell completed the podium in third, but it was the post-race disqualifications that really shook things up. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly were both disqualified for their cars being underweight, leaving them with no points. On top of that, Hamilton was also penalized for excessive wear on his car’s skid block, which turned what could have been a solid day for Ferrari into a real setback for them in the Constructors’ Championship.
This race really showed how unpredictable F1 can be, and Lando’s performance was definitely one of the highlights. Despite facing a huge issue with his car, he pushed through to finish in second, and that’s the kind of drive that’ll be remembered for a long time. McLaren’s success in this race is a big statement for the season ahead, and I can’t wait to see how this reshuffled the standings moving forward.
Paddock Fashion
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Paddock Fashion 〰️
Alexandra Saint Mleux
Alexandra Saint Mleux effortlessly blended tradition with modern fashion in this stunning black mini cheongsam-style dress. The structured silhouette, high Mandarin collar, and bold red frog closures paid homage to classic Chinese fashion, while the short hemline and sleek fit gave it a contemporary, playful edge. The asymmetrical button detailing made the look even more eye-catching, creating the perfect balance between elegance and boldness.
One of the standout pieces of this look was her Ferrari clutch—one of only nine in existence. More than just a luxury accessory, this bag was directly inspired by her boyfriend Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari Daytona SP3, reflecting the car’s sleek, high-performance aesthetic. The glossy black patent finish exuded sophistication, but the most meaningful detail was the red and white stripe running across it—a subtle nod to the Monaco flag, representing both Leclerc’s home country and his racing legacy. The clutch was more than just a statement piece; it was a perfect fusion of motorsport heritage and high fashion.
To complete the look, Alexandra wore matching red ballet flats—a chic, understated tribute to Ferrari’s signature color—and a pair of oval sunglasses that gave her an effortlessly cool, paddock-ready vibe.
Photo Credit: Antoine Truchet
Photo Credits: Kym Illman
Mao Xiaoxing
Mao Xiaoxing brought high-fashion energy to the Chinese Grand Prix, effortlessly blending motorsport and luxury style. Invited by Louis Vuitton and Vogue China, she embraced a bold, futuristic aesthetic with a sleek black leather ensemble—an edgy sleeveless top with a high neckline paired with a glossy mini skirt. The all-black look was complemented by sharp cat-eye sunglasses, a statement red lip, and a vibrant orange racing helmet, adding a rebellious motorsport touch.
Accessorizing with a Louis Vuitton denim bag, she balanced high fashion with practicality, nodding to the mix of luxury and sport. Her confident presence in the paddock and pit lane embodied the evolving intersection of F1 and fashion, proving once again that the racetrack is just as much a runway as it is a battleground for speed.
PhotoCredits: Vogue China
Elba O’Ward
Elba O’Ward showed up to the IndyCar Thermal Grand Prix looking effortlessly cool while supporting her younger brother, Pato O’Ward, who drives for Arrow McLaren. Her outfit was the perfect mix of laid-back and polished, making it clear she understands how to nail race day fashion.
She wore an oversized white button-down, left slightly undone for that effortless feel, but pulled together with a thick black belt to give it shape. It was the ideal balance between relaxed and structured, making the look feel intentional without trying too hard.
The real statement piece? Her leopard-print maxi skirt, which flowed perfectly in the desert breeze. The mix of classic white with a bold print gave off a cool, vintage-glam vibe—perfect for the California sunshine.
Her accessories were minimal but on point. She carried a black saddle bag with gold hardware, keeping it sleek, while the blue strap added just a subtle pop of color. Simple, but effective.
As always, her beauty look was just as effortless—glowy skin, soft pink lips, and her signature bangs tying everything together. It’s safe to say Elba knows how to do race day fashion without overcomplicating it, and this look was proof.
Photo Credits: Elba O’Ward Instagram
IndyCar
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IndyCar 〰️
The 2025 IndyCar season hit full throttle with the Thermal Club Grand Prix at The Thermal Club Raceway in Thermal, California, on March 23. After an exciting opening round, this second race of the season didn’t disappoint, offering plenty of action and strategic battles.
Álex Palou once again showed his dominance, securing the win after starting in third. He had a bit of a slow start but quickly made up ground, passing Christian Lundgaard and then Pato O'Ward in the final laps to grab his second consecutive victory. Palou’s consistent performance so far has put him in a strong position early in the season.
Pato O'Ward led for much of the race but struggled with tire strategy, which ultimately cost him the win. Despite the challenges, he fought hard and finished in second. Christian Lundgaard also put on a great performance, holding off Palou for much of the race before finishing in third. It was impressive to see him battle until the end.
Colton Herta, Felix Rosenqvist, and Will Power also had strong showings, finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively. The competition this year is looking fierce, and it’s clear that there are several drivers gunning for the top spots as the season progresses.
With this victory, Palou now leads the championship with 102 points after two races, with O'Ward in second at 63 points. It’s still early days, but Palou’s consistency has put him in the driver’s seat for the season ahead.
Overall, this race was packed with drama, strategy, and impressive drives from everyone involved. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling IndyCar season, and I’m already looking forward to the next round!
F1 Academy
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F1 Academy 〰️
The 2025 F1 Academy season got underway in Shanghai, making its debut at the iconic Shanghai International Circuit. With two action-packed races, the weekend set the stage for what looks like it’s going to be an epic season.
Alisha Palmowski kicked things off with a hard-fought win in Race 1. Driving for Rodin Motorsport, she took the lead and had to hold off some serious pressure from Chloe Chambers, who wasn’t letting her go without a fight. Chambers stayed close the whole race, but Palmowski kept her cool and brought it home for the win. Not a bad way to start the season!
Doriane Pin wasn’t about to let that stand, though. In Race 2, she absolutely dominated, leading from start to finish for PREMA Racing. Maya Weug tried to stay in the mix, but Pin was in control the entire time, never really giving her a chance to challenge. If this is the pace she’s bringing all season, she’s going to be a serious threat for the title.
With Palmowski and Pin each grabbing a win, the title fight is already shaping up to be a good one. But it’s only the beginning! Next up is Jeddah from April 18-20, followed by stops in Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, Singapore, and Las Vegas, all running alongside F1.
If the Shanghai opener was anything to go by, we’re in for some seriously good racing this season. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
Winners
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Winners 〰️
Photo Credit: McLaren F1 Twitter Photo Credit: NTT IndyCar Twitter
Photo Credit: F1 Academy Twitter Photo Credit: F1 Academy Twitter
My DOTD
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My DOTD 〰️
Alex Albon
If there was ever a way to celebrate a birthday in style, Alex Albon did just that at the Chinese Grand Prix. In a race filled with surprises, Albon delivered a standout performance, leading a few laps and bringing his Williams home in an impressive P7. Given the challenges of the Shanghai International Circuit and the competitive midfield battle, his result was nothing short of spectacular.
Albon's ability to lead the race, even briefly, was a testament to his racecraft and strategic awareness. Williams hasn't often found itself at the front of the pack in recent years, making his time in the lead even more special. On top of that, securing points in a car that isn't regularly in the top 10 highlights his skill and adaptability.
This drive felt like a statement—not just a celebration of his birthday, but a reminder of why Albon deserves recognition as one of the most consistent and talented drivers on the grid. For me, he was the clear Driver of the Day.
