A satisfying fourth place?
In the Sprint Qualifying of the Chinese Grand Prix, Mercedes made a strong statement again, placing George Russell on pole position and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in second position.
Ferrari was no longer clearly the second force, as Lando Norris preceded Lewis Hamilton – fourth – and Oscar Piastri placed ahead of Charles Leclerc – sixth.
The first Ferrari was 641 thousandths behind the Mercedes on pole, slightly less than in Australia, but still a significant gap at the moment.
Read more Verstappen resigned: “Undriveable car”. And Mekies apologizes over the radio.
Hamilton’s radio comment
On the sidelines of the Sprint Qualifying, it is interesting to isolate a radio exchange between Lewis Hamilton and his race engineer Carlo Santi. The two comment on the English champion’s lap and the gap to Russell, suggesting they did their best.
Carlo Santi: “The lap was good, 4 tenths ahead of Charles. Russell in P1”
Lewis Hamilton: “How far away is Russell?”
Carlo Santi: “Russell is 6 tenths ahead of us”
Lewis Hamilton: “Crazy… it was a great lap”
Carlo Santi: “Yes, it was a great lap”
Lewis Hamilton: “And we are still 6 tenths behind. Where does all their speed come from?”
Carlo Santi: “The difference is mainly due to the engine”.
