Lance scores points in Shanghai

Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team driver, Lance Stroll, secured P9 in the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, where he’d previously finished P15 in 2024.

One practice to get up to speed

Free Practice One offered the opportunity for drivers to dial their cars in and prepare for Sprint Qualifying.

The Shanghai International Circuit had been newly resurfaced so teams needed to make the most of the 60-minute session.

Lance predominantly ran on the Medium compound tyre, using three new sets across the session before a red flag was flown with just under 15 minutes of the session to go.

Once the green flag was waved, Lance came back onto the track with the Soft tyre compound to complete a performance run. He recorded a lap of 1:32.984 and was classified P12.

WATCH: 2025 CHINESE GRAND PRIX FP1 HIGHLIGHTS

Top ten in Sprint Qualifying

With the sun shining over the track, Sprint Qualifying got underway. After his first flying lap, running on the mandatory Medium compound tyre, Lance was in P11. He progressed into SQ2 with his AMR25 in P12.

Released onto the track with only three and a half minutes remaining of SQ2, Lance’s flying lap would be his sole chance to advance to the final stage of Qualifying. Securing P9, he progressed through to SQ3.

In SQ3, Lance headed out onto the track on a set of used Soft compound tyres with four minutes to go. He finished the session in P10 after others around him were able to capitalise on the constantly improving track.

WATCH: 2025 CHINESE GRAND PRIX SPRINT QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS

Close to points

Starting from P10 on the Medium compound tyre, Lance got a good start and gained two places on the first lap.

Tyre management was key and Lance continued to run in eighth, building a gap to Lando Norris behind him and chasing down Kimi Antonelli ahead.

In the final three laps, Lance was having to defend after Lando had caught up to the back of him, the closest he had been all race. Lance was overtaken on the penultimate lap and crossed the line P9, narrowly missing out on a point.

WATCH: 2025 CHINESE GRAND PRIX SPRINT HIGHLIGHTS

A tricky Qualifying

Qualifying got underway on Saturday afternoon and the Aston Martin Formula One Team had made some set-up changes to Lance’s AMR25 from the Sprint race.

On a used set of Soft tyres, Lance’s second performance run saw him climb to P5, with the track gripping up throughout the session. His final push lap was enough to progress into Q2 in P12.

With margins tight towards the end of Q2, Lance’s final flying lap was on a fresh set of Soft tyres. He crossed the line with a 1:31.773, but the time wasn’t enough to get into Q3, ending the session in P14.

WATCH: 2025 CHINESE GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS

Points in Shanghai

From P14 on the grid, Lance began the Grand Prix on the alternate tyre strategy, opting for the Hard compound.

He made a good start to the race and retained his position. With team-mate Fernando Alonso retiring on Lap 4, Lance moved up to P13.

By Lap 15, Lance was running in P5 as other cars ahead of him began making pit stops. With others on fresh tyres, Lance was at a disadvantage and was overtaken, sitting back in P7.

Lance had to go on the defence when fellow alternate strategy runner Oliver Bearman began to apply pressure. He was able to keep the HAAS driver behind him and continued running in P7.

The call to pit came on Lap 36, and Lance swapped onto the Medium compound tyre, rejoining the track in P14.

He continued his good pace for the remainder of the race, further progressing to P12 where he crossed the finish line.

Three post-race disqualifications meant that Lance was promoted to P9, adding two points to his tally this season.

Lance's season continues in Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix on 4-6 April.  

WATCH: 2025 CHINESE GRAND PRIX HIGHLIGHTS

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team, said:

"It was tough out there and unfortunately we fell outside the points with a P12 finish. I thought the race was coming to us but as it progressed it ended up being a one-stop race for most.

"It was nice to have some good battles out there though, but ultimately, we just aren't quick enough, and we have a lot of work to do until we can finish in the points comfortably."