F1 China, Sprint Qualifying results
| 1st row | 1. George Russell 1:31.520 Mercedes |
| 2. Kimi Antonelli 1:31.809 Mercedes | |
| 2nd row | 3. Lando Norris 1:32.141 McLaren |
| 4. Lewis Hamilton 1:32.161 Ferrari | |
| 3rd row | 5. Oscar Piastri 1:32.224 McLaren |
| 6. Charles Leclerc 1:32.528 Ferrari | |
| 4th row | 7. Pierre Gasly 1:32.888 Alpine |
| 8. Max Verstappen 1:33.254 Red Bull | |
| 5th row | 9. Oliver Bearman 1:33.409 Haas |
| 10. Isack Hadjar 1:33.723 Red Bull | |
| 6th row | 11. Nico Hülkenberg 1:33.635 Audi |
| 12. Esteban Ocon 1:33.639 Haas | |
| 7th row | 13. Liam Lawson 1:33.714 Racing Bulls |
| 14. Gabriel Bortoleto 1:33.774 Audi | |
| 8th row | 15. Arvid Lindblad 1:34.048 Racing Bulls |
| 16. Franco Colapinto 1:34.327 Alpine | |
| 9th row | 17. Carlos Sainz 1:34.761 Williams |
| 18. Alexander Albon 1:35.305 Williams | |
| 10th row | 19. Fernando Alonso 1:35.581 Aston Martin |
| 20. Lance Stroll 1:36.151 Aston Martin | |
| 11th row | 21. Valtteri Bottas 1:37.0378 Cadillac |
| 22. Sergio Perez no time Cadillac |
F1 China, Sprint Qualifying results
There is no contest in China either. After Australia, in Shanghai too the first two positions are colored grey with a Mercedes currently unreachable for everyone. The Brackley team takes pole position with George Russell (1:31.520), who puts nearly three tenths on Kimi Antonelli (the Italian pays for a mistake in the final sector of SQ3) and over six tenths on all the competition, led by Lando Norris.
Read more Hamilton via radio: “Crazy to be 6 tenths off Russell”, Santi: “Gap due to the engine”
The stewards could add more color to the front row: Antonelli is indeed seriously risking a three-position penalty for impeding Norris himself. If the penalty were confirmed, the Bolognese would start fifth behind Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri. Ferrari and McLaren show they are at a very similar level, so it is surprising that Charles Leclerc is four tenths off the second row (the Monegasque loses four tenths on the main straight). However, if the starting advantage were confirmed, no result would be out of reach in the Sprint. Not even for Leclerc.
A different story, however, for Max Verstappen, only eighth and even beaten by Pierre Gasly. Red Bull is currently in no man’s land and the Dutchman complained to everyone and everything (from the drivability of the RB22 to the Alpine Frenchman himself, guilty of disturbing him during the SQ3 lap). He remains firmly ahead of Isack Hadjar – with a great Ollie Bearman between them – but obviously, it will be no consolation to him. At the back, the difficulties of Williams, Aston Martin and Cadillac are confirmed, all eliminated in SQ1.
Read more Verstappen resigned: “Undriveable car”. And Mekies apologizes over the radio.
F1 China, Sprint Qualifying results
You can relive the excitement of the Shanghai Sprint Qualifying with our live commentary.
The schedule
F1 returns to the track during the Italian night: the first of the year’s six Sprints will take place, starting at 4 AM; then it will be time for qualifying (starting at 8 AM). On Sunday, also at 8 AM, the second GP of the World Championship will start.
