Oscar Piastri achieved his first pole position in Formula 1, leading a close qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. He edged out Mercedes` George Russell by just 0.082 seconds to secure the top spot.
Russell`s impressive lap disrupted McLaren`s expected front-row lockout, as Lando Norris finished third after abandoning his final Q3 attempt.
Despite struggling with car balance in Q3, Piastri managed to set two laps fast enough for pole position. His fastest time was 1:30.641.
Piastri commented, “In Q3, I really found pace. Qualifying 1 and 2 were a struggle, but the car and I came alive in Q3. I`m thrilled with my performance. The lap was a bit rough, but I`m excited.”
Regarding the track surface and tire management, he noted, “The track is quite challenging, leading to many snaps and moments this weekend. However, when you get it right, it`s fantastic. I`m happy to take the fastest lap in Shanghai.”
Russell revealed he experimented with a “completely different” tire preparation strategy for his final Q3 run. This adjustment allowed him to surpass Norris by 0.070 seconds and claim second position from McLaren.
Earlier in the week, Russell suggested McLaren had a greater performance advantage than Red Bull previously enjoyed during their dominant period. However, his qualifying performance seemed to challenge that assessment.
Reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull will start fourth, followed by sprint race winner Lewis Hamilton in fifth and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in sixth.
Hamilton dominated the Saturday sprint race but appeared to lose momentum in the afternoon qualifying. Teams adjusted their setups between sessions.
Leclerc was narrowly behind his teammate, securing sixth place just ahead of Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar`s impressive seventh.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished eighth, followed by Yuki Tsunoda of Racing Bulls in ninth and Alex Albon of Williams completing the top ten.
Esteban Ocon narrowly missed Q3, achieving 11th place for Haas. Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber was 12th, and the Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were 13th and 14th, respectively. Carlos Sainz will start 15th for Williams.
Pierre Gasly of Alpine will start 16th, followed by Haas driver Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan in the second Alpine in 18th.
Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto qualified 19th, ahead of Red Bull`s Liam Lawson, who finished last and failed to advance from Q1 for the third time this season.
Lawson was over a second slower than the fastest Q1 time, adding pressure in his second race as Verstappen`s teammate.
Lawson was overtaken by Gasly on his outlap, affecting his final preparation. However, his performance was consistent with his struggles as a Red Bull driver.
Dominic Ashworth