McLaren's Oscar Piastri wins F1 Chinese GP from teammate Lando Norris. Both Ferraris disqualified

SHANGHAI (AP) — McLaren driver Oscar Piastri cruised to his maiden Chinese Grand Prix win from pole position with the Australian untouchable ahead of his teammate Lando Norris as the pair completed McLaren’s milestone 50th one-two placing in Formula 1.

Piastri, who took his maiden pole position on Saturday, got a great start in Sunday’s race to lead into the first corner, as Norris passed George Russell's Mercedes for second.

The Australian then slowly stretched his legs in an untroubled drive for his third career win, after Hungary and Azerbaijan last year.

“(It’s) very satisfying, obviously,” said Piastri, who is now up to fourth in the standings, just 10 points behind leader Norris with 22 races to go.

“I think it’s always a pretty good day when you cross the line first, but I think this has been the most satisfying, not just race, but (race) weekend for myself. I think the two wins I had previously were very different, and I think this one’s been the most complete.”

The full result was altered by stewards after the race when Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as well as Alpine's Pierre Gasly were disqualified.

Norris had a trickier afternoon to earn his runner-up spot — with the British driver having to pass both Russell and Williams’ Alex Albon after his stop. He then trailed his teammate to the checkered flag, though in the closing stages had to deal with a worsening brake-pedal issue that threatened his ability to finish the race.

“Tough race,” Norris said. “I mean I’m just satisfied, for the result, for the team, the 50th one-two for McLaren is quite an achievement. So happy to be part of that, first of all, and a great race by Oscar.

“I’m (also) happy considering how bad my last few days have been and how much I struggled just to kind of get comfortable and understand how to drive the car.”

Russell finished third for Mercedes’ 300th podium in F1. It was the Briton’s second-straight podium place of the young season, with his consistency leaving him third in the standings — one point ahead of China winner Piastri.

“In the last three races, with the sprint as well, the result we achieved was the maximum (we could achieve), so that gives me a lot of satisfaction,” Russell said.

“If we do deliver a car that is capable of fighting the McLaren, I have no doubt that we can finish ahead because we’re doing such a solid job as a team.”

Last year’s race winner, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took fourth from Ferrari’s Leclerc in the closing laps, with the Monégasque’s race compromised by lap one contact with his Scuderia teammate Hamilton that sheared the left-front endplate from his front wing and hampered his car’s aerodynamics throughout the race.

However, Leclerc and Gasly, who finished fifth and 16th, respectively, were disqualified after each of their cars were found to be 1 kilogram below the minimum weight limit at the conclusion of the race.

Hamilton, who won Saturday’s Sprint race for his first victory in a Ferrari, and who finished sixth on the road in the race was also disqualified because the thickness of the skid block on the underside of the seven-time F1 world champion’s Ferrari was found to be below the permitted minimum limit.

Haas double points finish was boosted by the disqualifications with Esteban Ocon, who finished seventh moving up to fifth, while rookie Oliver Bearman went from 10th to eighth.

Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli was sixth, ahead of new seventh-place finisher Alex Albon. Lance Stroll in an Aston Martin moved up to ninth with Carlos Sainz of Williams taking the final point in 10th.

The next race will be held at Japan’s legendary Suzuka Circuit on April 6th to start a triple header with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

AP Formula 1: https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, centre, is congratulated by Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia celebrates with Zak Brown, McLaren boss after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, centre, celebrates with his team after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain celebrates on the podium after placing third in the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain celebrates second place on the podium after the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain and Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain celebrates on the podium after the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, centre, is flanked on the podium with McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, and Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia celebrates on the podium after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

Red Bull driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand steers his car during the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, congratulates McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia for winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia celebrates after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia crosses the finish line to win the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Wo Hao/Pool Photo via AP)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, right, talks to Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after the sprint race ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the sprint race ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the sprint race ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo)

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain poses after qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia celebrates his pole position after qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins sustained a season-ending right knee injury in the first quarter of top-seeded Southern California's win against Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament on Monday night.

The stellar sophomore will undergo surgery and then begin rehabilitation, a team spokesperson said.

Watkins, one of the biggest stars in women's basketball, was streaking to the basket chased by two defenders when her knee bent awkwardly as she planted her right leg, the non-contact injury causing her to crumple to the floor. She grabbed her knee and writhed in pain as her teammates surrounded her.

“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor and crying,” coach Lindsay Gottlieb said.

The crowd in Galen Center went silent as Gottlieb and two other USC staffers attended to the 19-year-old Watkins, a 6-foot-2 sophomore who averages 24.6 points. She was carried off by multiple people with the Trojans leading 13-2.

The Trojans won 96-59 to reach the Sweet 16.

“My prayers and thoughts are with JuJu,” MSU coach Sam Purcell said. “Obviously, we're competitors and you never want to see that, especially what she means for women's basketball.”

Watkins has enjoyed good health in her brief college career. She started all 34 of USC’s games as a freshman, when she was second in scoring nationally with 27.1 points a game. Her 920 points set a national record for freshman scoring.

USC reached the Elite Eight last year, losing to Paige Bueckers and UConn. The teams could meet again in a regional final in Spokane, Washington, this year.

After Watkins was hurt, the crowd loudly booed Mississippi State every time it had the ball. The school's cheerleaders were booed during their halftime routine and the crowd got on the team again as it warmed up for the second half.

“They’re gonna stand behind their home team. They’re gonna go hard for JuJu,” said MSU guard Jerkaila Jordan, who scored 17 points. “I couldn’t do nothing but respect them.”

Watkins had three free throws, one rebound and two assists in five minutes.

In the second quarter, USC guard Malia Samuels went down hard on the baseline. She held her head in her hands as the crowd booed and Gottlieb again came rushing out to check on the sophomore, who ran the offense in Watkins' absence.

“I was relieved to hear her say, ‘I’m good,'” Gottlieb said.

The Trojans appeared undaunted by the injury to their star. They rushed the floor in celebration after senior Rayah Marshall banked in a 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer and extend the lead to 50-27.

“They gave us a lot of energy, especially when things weren’t going our way at the beginning,” said Kiki Iriafen, who scored a season-high 36 points.

Watkins hurt her left hand after the ball jammed her fingers in USC's first-round blowout win over UNC Greensboro. She later came up limping on her left leg and winced.

“It’s the end of the season, body is a little banged up,” she said afterward. “On to the next. Nobody cares. I’m all good.”

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) draws a foul against Mississippi State guard Eniya Russell, left, and guard Chandler Prater (5) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)