LIVE: Reaction as Hamilton roars to China Sprint pole;as Verstappen p2… read more
The 2025 F1 season is set to kick off with its first sprint qualifying session, and all eyes are on the action in China. Following a thrilling free practice session, Lando Norris emerged as the fastest driver, posting an impressive lap time that put him ahead of the pack by over four-tenths of a second. Norris has been on a roll recently, having secured the sprint pole position at the same track last year, and he will be hoping to replicate that success this weekend. With his solid performance in the season opener in Australia, Norris appears poised to continue his momentum and fight for another pole in the sprint.
In contrast to Norris’ strong showing, reigning champion Max Verstappen, who was expected to be the primary challenger, did not display his full potential during practice. Verstappen, however, remains a threat and starts from second on the grid, while his Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson struggled to find the right pace, ultimately not being able to extract the same performance as his teammate. Despite this, Lawson will still look to improve as the weekend progresses.
The Ferrari team had a much more encouraging session, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both posting strong results. Leclerc finished in second place, indicating that the Scuderia may be well-positioned for a competitive weekend. Hamilton, who has been eyeing a resurgence this season, came in fourth, also putting him in a good position to fight for top spots during the sprint qualifying session.
The first sprint grid of the weekend is about to be determined, with the key contenders gearing up for the all-important qualifying session. The outcome of this session could prove pivotal for the rest of the weekend, as a strong starting position is crucial for success in the sprint race. As the teams prepare for the sprint, all eyes will be on Norris, Verstappen, Leclerc, and Hamilton, who have all shown they have the speed and skill to challenge for the top spots.
With the first sprint of the season fast approaching, the excitement is palpable as teams and drivers make their final preparations. As the grid is set, it will be fascinating to see who can harness their potential and secure an early advantage in what promises to be an action-packed weekend of racing. The competitive nature of the grid this year is already evident, and the China sprint promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
