Piastri’s Historic Pole: A New Shanghai Benchmark: Oscar Piastri delivered a stunning performance in qualifying for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, setting a new track record of 1:30.641 to secure his first career pole position. The McLaren driver narrowly edged out Mercedes’ George Russell and teammate Lando Norris in a fiercely contested session.
Q1: Piastri Leads, Verstappen Challenges: Piastri set the early pace in Q1, but Verstappen, running late, briefly took the lead with a blistering lap. As the track improved, Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar challenged the top times, but Norris ultimately emerged fastest. Pierre Gasly, Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Liam Lawson were eliminated.
Q2: Norris Dominates, Verstappen Closes: Norris continued his strong form in Q2, setting a blistering pace. Verstappen, however, managed to close the gap, taking second place. Hadjar and Tsunoda impressed, securing fourth and fifth respectively. Esteban Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Carlos Sainz were eliminated.
Q3: Piastri’s Pole and McLaren’s Front Row Lockout: Verstappen initially set the pace in Q3, but Piastri responded with a stunning lap to take provisional pole. In the final runs, Piastri improved further to secure his maiden pole position. Russell managed to split the McLarens, taking second place, while Norris settled for third. Verstappen couldn’t improve, finishing fourth. Hamilton and Leclerc secured fifth and sixth, respectively. Hadjar’s impressive seventh place was under investigation for an unsafe release. Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified eighth, followed by Tsunoda and Alex Albon.
Key Highlights:
- Oscar Piastri takes his first career pole position.
- Piastri sets a new track record at the Shanghai International Circuit.
- McLaren secures a front-row lockout with Piastri and Norris.
- George Russell qualifies second, splitting the McLarens.
- Verstappen qualifies fourth.
- Hadjar’s impressive seventh place is under investigation.
| Pos | Driver | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | 1:30.641 |
| 2 | George Russell | +0.082 |
| 3 | Lando Norris | +0.152 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | +0.176 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | +0.286 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | +0.380 |
| 7 | Isack Hadjar | +0.438 |
| 8 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | +0.462 |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | +0.997 |
| 10 | Alexander Albon | +1.065 |
| 11 | Esteban Ocon | – – |
| 12 | Nico Hulkenberg | – – |
| 13 | Fernando Alonso | – – |
| 14 | Lance Stroll | – – |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | – – |
| 16 | Pierre Gasly | – – |
| 17 | Oliver Bearman | – – |
| 18 | Jack Doohan | – – |
| 19 | Gabriel Bortoleto | – – |
| 20 | Liam Lawson | – – |
