F1 Sprint Qualifying Results: Lewis Hamilton on pole as Red Bull star to start last at Chinese Grand Pr…..read more
Lewis Hamilton produced a remarkable performance to claim pole position during sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion delivered a blistering lap that put him ahead of his long-time rival Max Verstappen, leaving both McLaren drivers trailing behind and denying them a front-row start for the Saturday sprint race. The result was particularly impressive given that the McLarens had been heavily favoured heading into the session, based on their recent form and pace.
Hamilton’s lap time was sensational and out of reach for the rest of the field, reaffirming his dominance at the Shanghai International Circuit, where he holds the record for the most wins. Verstappen, meanwhile, was able to secure second place on the grid, positioning himself strategically to challenge Hamilton at the start of the sprint. The Red Bull driver will be eager to make amends after falling short of pole, especially in what has been a tightly contested season thus far between the top teams.
McLaren’s lead driver, Lando Norris, suffered a frustrating session after making a costly mistake during his flying lap. As a result, the Briton could only manage sixth place on the grid, well off the pace of Hamilton’s benchmark time. The error came at a crucial moment and leaves Norris with significant work to do in the sprint if he hopes to recover and put himself in a better position for Sunday’s main Grand Prix.
Liam Lawson endured a nightmare qualifying session, compounding a difficult start to his first full Formula 1 season. The young New Zealander failed to make it past the first stage of sprint qualifying (SQ1) and will line up last on the grid for the sprint race. It was a tough blow for Lawson, who had been hoping to build on the promise he showed as a reserve driver last season. His early elimination from SQ1 leaves him with an uphill battle for the remainder of the weekend.
There was a moment of concern for George Russell, who was noted by race stewards for allegedly impeding Yuki Tsunoda at the penultimate corner. The incident was reviewed, and while there were suggestions that Russell may have affected Tsunoda’s lap time, the stewards opted not to take further action against the Mercedes driver. As a result, Russell retained his qualifying position and avoided any potential grid penalty that could have further complicated his sprint race.
Meanwhile, the Williams team faced disappointment as Carlos Sainz was eliminated in the second part of qualifying (SQ2). Sainz, who has been showing glimpses of strong pace for Williams in the early part of the season, particularly in Bahrain and Australia, struggled to extract the same performance in Shanghai. His early exit from the session came as a blow to the team, which had been hoping for a stronger showing based on their recent momentum.
As the grid lines up for Saturday morning’s sprint race, Hamilton will be looking to convert his pole into a commanding win, while Verstappen will likely be eager to challenge him right from the start. The McLaren duo, particularly Norris, will have to push hard to make up lost ground after their disappointing qualifying session.
The dynamics of this sprint weekend add an extra layer of intrigue, as the sprint results will not only provide points but also set the tone for Sunday’s Grand Prix. With Lawson at the back, Norris mired in sixth, and Hamilton and Verstappen locking out the front row, the sprint is shaping up to be an unpredictable and high-stakes affair.
