Lewis Hamilton baffles fans with ‘San Diego’ codeword as Ferrari star earns incredible Sprint pole position in China

LEWIS HAMILTON left fans baffled with a cryptic radio message after achieving Formula One Sprint pole at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Hamilton raced over the line in a new track record time of 1:30.849, edging out old rival Max Verstappen and McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

His maiden pole for the Scuderia saw him become the first F1 driver over the age of 40 to achieve pole since Nigel Mansell in 1994, and also the first Brit to score pole for the team since Mansell in 1990.

Hamilton was stunned at the pace he got from the car following a horror debut at the season opening Australian Grand Prix when he finished down in P10.

Speaking to engineer Riccardo Adami after crossing the line, Hamilton was heard laughing at being told he was on pole for the Sprint.

However, a phrase used by Adami left fans baffled.

Hamilton asked: “Where are we?”

Adami then replied: “That's San Diego.”

Hamilton said: “Really? [Laughing] Yes!”

Adami added: “Good job in San Diego, San Diego!”

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Fans flocked to social media to query what the phrase meant, with it presumably not referring to the city located in California, USA.

It is not currently clear why the term was used, though it appears to be a codeword for pole position.

SunSport have contacted Ferrari for clarification.

Codewords are nothing new to F1 drivers.

Hamilton and Mercedes engineer famously used the phrase “Hammer time” when he was told to push the car to go faster during a race.

He celebrated with his dad Anthony.

Speaking after the session, Hamilton said: “I didn't expect that result but so, so happy and so proud.

“Clearly the last race was a disaster for us but we knew there was more pace in the car.

“I'm a bit shocked. I can't believe we got a pole in the Sprint!”

Hamilton can win up to eight points for winning the Sprint Race, which commences tomorrow at 3am UK time.

Qualifying for the feature race will take place from 7am, with the full race happening at 7am on Sunday.