F1 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race starting grid with penalties ap…read more
In a thrilling display at the Shanghai International Circuit, Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position with Ferrari for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race, setting a new lap record of 1:30.849. This achievement underscores Hamilton’s seamless transition to the Scuderia and highlights his enduring prowess on the track.
Close on his heels was reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, trailing by a mere 0.018 seconds. Verstappen, who clinched victory at the previous year’s Chinese Grand Prix, showcased his consistent form and remains a formidable competitor. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured the third spot, just 0.080 seconds behind Hamilton, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed the fourth position, 0.208 seconds off the pace. Leclerc faced potential penalties for allegedly driving unnecessarily slowly but was subsequently cleared by the FIA, allowing him to maintain his starting position. Mercedes’ George Russell secured fifth place with a 0.320-second deficit. Lando Norris, who emerged victorious at the season opener in Australia, encountered challenges during SQ3, running wide at a crucial corner, resulting in a sixth-place start.
Mercedes’ rookie, Kimi Antonelli, impressed by securing the seventh spot, 0.889 seconds behind Hamilton. Yuki Tsunoda of Racing Bulls and Alex Albon of Williams followed, with Lance Stroll of Aston Martin rounding out the top ten.
Notably, seasoned drivers Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz faced setbacks, qualifying 11th and 13th, respectively. Alonso, despite his vast experience, couldn’t break into the top ten, while Sainz, now with Williams, struggled to find pace. Haas’ Ollie Bearman secured the 12th spot, showcasing the team’s potential.
The starting grid for the Sprint Race is as follows:
1. Lewis Hamilton [Ferrari] – 1:30.849
2. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] – +0.018
3. Oscar Piastri [McLaren] – +0.080
4. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] – +0.208
5. George Russell [Mercedes] – +0.320
6. Lando Norris [McLaren] – +0.544
7. Kimi Antonelli [Mercedes] – +0.889
8. Yuki Tsunoda [Racing Bulls] – +0.924
9. Alex Albon [Williams] – +1.003
10. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] – +1.133
11. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin]
12. Ollie Bearman [Haas]
13. Carlos Sainz [Williams]
14. Gabriel Bortoleto [Sauber]
15. Isack Hadjar [Racing Bulls]
16. Jack Doohan [Alpine]
17. Pierre Gasly [Alpine]
18. Esteban Ocon [Haas]
19. Nico Hulkenberg [Sauber]
20. Liam Lawson [Red Bull]
The Sprint Race format, reintroduced in 2025, offers drivers a 100km dash, with the winner earning eight points and points awarded to the top eight finishers. This format not only adds excitement to the weekend but also provides drivers with additional opportunities to amass crucial championship points.
Hamilton’s pole position is particularly noteworthy, marking a significant turnaround from his tenth-place finish in the season opener in Melbourne. Reflecting on his performance, Hamilton expressed amazement at securing pole, emphasizing improvements in his session times and his goal to enhance performance further in upcoming sessions.
Verstappen, while narrowly missing out on pole, remained optimistic. He acknowledged the competitiveness of the session and anticipated a challenging race, especially with the McLarens showing strong pace.
McLaren’s performance has been commendable, with Piastri’s third-place qualification and Norris’s sixth-place start. Despite Norris’s setback in SQ3, the team’s overall pace indicates their potential to challenge the frontrunners in the Sprint Race.
The Sprint Race is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 local time (UTC+8). This event precedes the main Grand Prix, set for Sunday, March 23, at 15:00 local time. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via Sky or alternatives like NowTV and talkSPORT.
As the first Sprint Race of the season, teams and drivers are eager to capitalize on the opportunity to gain additional points and momentum. The condensed format demands precision and aggression, promising fans an exhilarating spectacle.
In summary, the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race is poised to deliver high-octane action, with Hamilton leading the charge for Ferrari, closely pursued by Verstappen and a competitive field eager to make their mark.
