Chinese Grand Prix – Qualifying: Oscar Piastri takes his first pole position

SQ1: Norris in form, Gasly out.

The sun is scorching in Shanghai, and as soon as the lights go out, everyone heads to the track to avoid any surprises. Sainz opens the show, but his initial times are far from impressive. Hülkenberg, on the other hand, is fast, but it’s Norris who sets the pace with a 1’32″036, immediately beaten by Hamilton and Piastri, the latter taking the top of the leaderboard with a solid 1’31″591.

Big scare for Doohan! The Australian spins at turn 9 and puts himself under pressure. Meanwhile, Leclerc, struggling, posts a modest 10th time, far behind Verstappen and Hamilton.

The end of the session is completely unprecedented: Tsunoda and Hadjar briefly shine at the top before Norris crushes the competition in 1’30“983. But behind, it’s a cold shower for Gasly, the first eliminated in 16th place. Bearman, Doohan, Bortoleto, and Lawson, hindered by Gasly, finish 20th, suffering the same fate.

SQ2: Hadjar takes her revenge

The Q2 kicks off at full speed. Russell sets an initial time of 1’31″307, but that’s without considering Piastri and then Norris, who drives the point home and smashes the circuit record with 1’30″787! The Briton is in top form, leaving a 0.4-second gap to everyone else.

Behind, the battle rages on. Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, and Tsunoda complete the Top 5, while Hamilton and Leclerc trail in 7th and 9th position, but with already worn tires. Bad operation for Antonelli, who misses his first lap and has to start over.

Ferraris will not do better than 6th and 7th place. But the drama is elsewhere: Sainz is eliminated! Only 15th, he will not see Q3, just like Stroll, Alonso, Hülkenberg, and Ocon. Meanwhile, Hadjar creates a surprise and advances to Q3 with the 4th fastest time! The rookie shines and steps into the big leagues.

SQ3: First pole of his career for Piastri

Last battle for the pole! Verstappen sets the first benchmark at 1’30″925, but Piastri immediately responds with a 1’30″703, putting everyone in agreement. Hadjar, once again, shows speed and goes ahead of his teammate Tsunoda. Norris continues his show and climbs to 2nd place, just 90 thousandths behind Piastri.

The final attempts fall but no improvement for Verstappen. Norris aborts his effort and Piastri keeps pole! Even better, he improves by another 62 thousandths and claims the first pole of his career!

In an incredible final lap, Russell snatches the 2nd place by only 82 thousandths, ahead of Norris. Verstappen finishes 4th, followed by Hamilton. Hadjar impresses again with a superb 7th place, ahead of his teammate Tsunoda.

Piastri, Russell, Norris – that’s the trio that will start at the front tomorrow in a race that promises to be full of surprises.

The result of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix F1 qualifiers