George Russell dominates Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying
George Russell was imperious throughout Sprint Qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, topping every session and ultimately securing pole position ahead of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. From the start, it seemed there was only one outcome: Russell didn’t even bother with a second run in SQ1, led by three-tenths over the nearest non-Mercedes driver in SQ2, and clinched pole by three-tenths in the final session.
SQ1 Highlights: Early Surprises and Eliminations
The first session saw several teams struggle. Ferrari lined up with its Melbourne-spec rear wing after removing the ‘Macarena’ wing due to reported reliability concerns. Meanwhile, Cadillac confirmed that Sergio Perez would not participate in Sprint Qualifying due to a fuel system issue discovered after practice.
Only 21 drivers took part in SQ1. Isack Hadjar set the early benchmark with a 1:34.4, aided by a tow from Valtteri Bottas’ Cadillac.
Mercedes immediately stamped their authority, with Russell and Antonelli running 1-2, seven-tenths clear of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. As the track rubbered in, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc closed the gap, though Russell’s pace remained untouchable.
Several drivers had off-track excursions: Gabriel Bortoleto ran wide at the final corner to avoid flat-spotting his tyres, while Oliver Bearman went off at Turn 16.
Russell ended SQ1 fastest of all with a 1:33.030, despite completing only a single flying lap. Hamilton was a tenth down in second, Leclerc half a second behind, and Max Verstappen languished in 11th, 1.1 seconds off Russell’s pace.
Eliminated in SQ1: Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez
George Russell dominates Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying
George Russell continued his imperious form in Shanghai, securing pole position once again as Mercedes reinforced their dominance in the 2026 season. Kimi Antonelli joined him on the front row, while McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed third.
SQ2: Tight Battle for the Top 16
Sixteen drivers remained in SQ2, fighting to progress with only fractions separating positions 10 to 16 from the previous session. Oliver Bearman set an early benchmark of 1:33.999, while McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris opted for double preparation laps.
Max Verstappen briefly held the top spot with a 1:33.564, only for Charles Leclerc to eclipse him by almost a full second. The Mercedes duo closed out the session, with Russell posting a 1:32.241 and Antonelli P2, just 0.050s behind. Leclerc was third, three-tenths slower, while Verstappen scraped through in ninth.
Race control flagged incidents of potential impeding, including Norris’ complaint that Antonelli “boxed me” and Pierre Gasly affecting Verstappen.
Eliminated in SQ2: Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Arvid Lindblad, Franco Colapinto
SQ3: Mercedes Clinches Pole
The final session saw drivers switch to the mandatory soft tyres. Antonelli went first, setting a 1:31.880, only for Russell to blitz his teammate in the final sector and take provisional pole by 0.360s.
Lewis Hamilton survived a nervous moment at the final corner to slot into third ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen. Only these five drivers had two opportunities at pole. Meanwhile, Norris and Piastri, each with a single run, went third and fifth, with Hamilton splitting the McLaren pair.
Russell’s 1:31.520 remained unbeaten, giving him pole by 0.289s over Antonelli. Norris completed the top three, while Verstappen was eighth.
Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying Top 10
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George Russell – Mercedes – 1:31.520
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Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – 1:31.809
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Lando Norris – McLaren – 1:32.141
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Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – 1:32.161
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Oscar Piastri – McLaren – 1:32.224
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Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – 1:32.528
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Pierre Gasly – Alpine – 1:32.888
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Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 1:33.254
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Oliver Bearman – Haas – 1:33.409
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Isack Hadjar – Red Bull – 1:33.723
Full SQ times (22 drivers) available on PlanetF1.com.