Oscar Piastri secures the first pole position of his career for the Chinese GP. The Australian relegates George Russell in the Mercedes and team-mate Lando Norris to the other positions.
22.03.2025, 09:36
22.03.2025, 10:11
SDA
Following Ferrari rookie Lewis Hamilton's victory in the sprint race, McLaren restored the expected pecking order in Formula 1. However, it was not Lando Norris who was fastest in qualifying, but his team-mate Oscar Piastri. The 23-year-old Australian was 0.152 seconds faster than Norris on his best lap of the Shanghai circuit.
The winner of the opening race a week ago in Australia, who had to settle for eighth place in the sprint in Shanghai, was ultimately left with third place on the grid because George Russell in the Mercedes was just 82 thousandths behind Piastri, sandwiched between the two favored McLaren.
Ferrari from the third row of the grid
Lewis Hamilton was not quite able to keep up with the best in the time chase a good four hours after his victory debut in the Ferrari. The record world champion finished fifth, just under three tenths behind his teammate Charles Leclerc.
World champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull will start the race on Sunday (8.00 a.m. Swiss time) directly ahead of the Ferrari duo in fourth position. The Dutchman won last year ahead of Norris. Hamilton holds the record with six victories in the Chinese Grand Prix.
Hülkenberg in a good starting position
The Sauber drivers created different starting positions for Sunday. Nico Hülkenberg improved on the previous day's sprint qualifying and advanced to the second part of qualifying. The German will start the race from 12th on the grid.
The Brazilian Formula 1 newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto in the other car of the Zurich-based racing team finished 19th and penultimate, leaving only the New Zealander Liam Lawson in the Red Bull behind him. Verstappen's new team-mate has disappointed across the board so far and is already under a lot of pressure.
