Italy returns to pole position
That’s all for the Qualifying report, thank you for being with us. We leave you with the complete starting grid for the Chinese GP. Enjoy the rest of your day with FormulaPassion.it.
09.05 – Antonelli has broken the record that belonged to Sebastian Vettel for the youngest pole position in F1 history.
09.03 – This is the situation at the end of Q3.
09.00 – Russell is second, two tenths behind Antonelli, who is the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history. Italy returns to pole position; it hadn’t happened since the 2009 Belgian GP when Giancarlo Fisichella took pole position with Force India.
Kimi. Antonelli. 👏
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026
You are the youngest Grand Prix pole-sitter in F1 history 🤝#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/96yFeimQhm
Checkered flag
08.59 – Russell managed to start his lap, Hamilton beat Leclerc by 13 thousandths.
08.58 – Antonelli drops to 1’32″064.
08.57 – Antonelli starts his second and decisive run. Russell leaves the pits.
08.56 – Everyone leaves the pits for the second run, Russell is still stationary.
08.55 – This is the situation after the first run.
08.54 – Steering wheel change for Russell as well.
08.53 – Piastri and Norris have moved into second and third positions. In the Mercedes garage, they are preparing Russell’s car after a reset for the second run.
08.51 – Antonelli takes the lead in 1’32″222, followed by Leclerc and Hamilton, who made a mistake in the middle sector at Turn 10. Leclerc was also not perfect at Turn 12.
08.50 – Russell managed to restart, but he is stuck in first gear and is moving very slowly.
08.49 – Russell is stopped on track.
George Russell STOPS on track… 😱
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026
He gets going soon after but George reports that he can’t shift gears! #F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/k9RNuGXojR
08.48 – Green light at the end of the pit lane, Q3 begins.
08.46 – At Mercedes, they changed the front wing for George Russell.
08.43 – Russell said over the radio that something is wrong with the front of the car, he had massive understeer. There might be damage to the front wing.
ELIMINATED IN Q2 ❌
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026
Hulkenberg
Colapinto
Ocon
Lawson
Lindblad
Bortoleto#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/UcUflt6NeO
08.42 – Hadjar was saved by five thousandths; Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Ocon, Lawson, Lindblad, and Bortoleto are eliminated.
08.41 – Checkered flag
08.40 – Mistake by Bortoleto at the last corner, he manages to restart.
🟡 YELLOW FLAG 🟡
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026
Gabi Bortoleto is in the gravel at the final corner, but he gets going and returns to the pits! 😮💨#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/kDYVbKyU8v
08.39 – Antonelli goes to the top in 1’32″443.
08.37 – Leclerc lowers Russell’s time, 1’32″486.
08.35 – Best sector for Leclerc in T1.
08.34 – The McLarens return to the track with new tires.
08.32 – After the first run, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Colapinto, Lawson, Lindblad, and Bortoleto are currently eliminated.
08.31 – Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren used used tires; the Red Bulls on new tires are fifth with Verstappen and eighth with Hadjar.
08.29 – Russell is the fastest in 1’32″523, Hamilton is second at 311 thousandths, third is Leclerc at 379.
08.27 – There will be no investigation into Bortoleto.
08.26 – The Ferraris start Q2 with the set of used soft tires used at the end of Q1.
Read more Record-breaking Antonelli: he is the youngest pole-sitter ever in F1
08.25 – Green light at the end of the pit lane, Q2 begins.
08.22 – Q1 is not selective at the moment; Q2 will be much more so. Bortoleto is under investigation for impeding Hadjar.
08.20 – The situation at the end of Q1. The track is significantly slower than yesterday.
08.19 – Yesterday’s eliminations confirmed: the Williams (Sainz and Albon), the Aston Martins (Alonso and Stroll), and the Cadillacs (Bottas and Perez).
ELIMINATED IN Q1 ❌
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026
Sainz 📸
Albon
Alonso
Bottas
Stroll
Perez#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/JOndYDkHdV
08.18 – Checkered flag
08.17 – Hadjar (eighth) and Verstappen (fourth) secure their positions.
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