George Russell secured sprint pole on Friday in the lead-up to the Chinese GP. The Englishman was supreme in his Mercedes during the first sprint qualifying. Teammate Kimi Antonelli followed at a suitable distance, although the gap to the competition was even larger. Max Verstappen reached SQ3, but ultimately had to settle for the eighth fastest time. The difference compared to Russell? No less than 1,7 seconds.

Read more Sprint qualifying results Chinese GP 2026

Relive the sprint qualifying for the Chinese GP below:

SQ1: Russell fastest, Verstappen struggles

SQ1 is about to begin! Because there is less time for SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3 compared to standard qualifying, teams usually have time for only one run in each part. This naturally puts the drivers under more pressure. Since there is no time for multiple runs or tire changes, new rubber is mandatory for each session. Teams must use medium tires for SQ1 and SQ2 and soft tires for SQ3.

The track has been cleared and the first cars head out onto the track. The sprint has its own shortened qualifying procedure, divided into three sections. SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3 last 12, 10, and 8 minutes respectively, with seven-minute breaks in between. Sergio Pérez’s Cadillac remains in the garage; after problems in FP1, the Mexican is not participating in the sprint qualifying.

Red Bull and Ferrari immediately climb to the top of the timesheets after their first fast laps. Oliver Bearman and Nico Hülkenberg also join the fastest cars right away. The Shanghai International Circuit develops quickly as more laps are driven. Mercedes benefits: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli shoot to P1 and P2 respectively, half a second ahead of the rest of the field.

SQ1 is over! Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar cannot yet match the other top teams. The Dutchman ends up in P11, his teammate in P14. This does allow them to progress to SQ2. Verstappen comes through the last corner drifting. Over the team radio, he complains about the steering of his RB22: “Can we look at this, the car drives terribly,” he sighs. Russell takes the fastest time, followed by both Ferraris.

Dropouts SQ1: Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, Pérez (no time)

SQ2: Mercedes dominates, Verstappen through to SQ3

Ten minutes on the clock, SQ2 has started! Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri immediately head out in hopes of maximizing their chances on the track. All cars are again on the medium tires. As mentioned, the softs are reserved for SQ3.

Max Verstappen briefly holds P1 but is then dethroned by Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari driver is actually a full second faster than the four-time world champion. The Scuderia is, by the way, running with a ‘conventional’ rear wing; the ‘Macarena design’ is still in the garage. McLaren and Mercedes manage to further improve Leclerc’s time. George Russell again proves to be very strong and is three-tenths faster than the rest of the field.

Read more Russell praises Mercedes after convincing sprint pole: ‘A joy to drive this car’

Meanwhile, the FIA is investigating an incident between Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli; the reigning champion complains that he was blocked by the Italian’s Mercedes.

SQ2 is over! Max Verstappen has to swerve at the last moment for Pierre Gasly’s Alpine and goes off track. He takes a short trip into the gravel trap but can then continue his way. The Dutchman has already qualified among the fastest ten, although he and teammate Isack Hadjar are at the very bottom in P9 and P10. Both are more than one second slower than Russell.

Dropouts SQ2: Hülkenberg, Ocon, Lawson, Bortoleto, Lindblad, Colapinto

SQ3: Russell leads one-two for Mercedes, Verstappen P8

SQ3 has started! Time to determine who captures the first sprint pole of the year. Based on the first qualifying sessions, George Russell clearly has the best cards. Or will teammate Kimi Antonelli take the fastest time? Last year, the young Italian already claimed sprint pole for the Miami GP. Mercedes is the first to take to the track, followed by Max Verstappen. All drivers are on soft tires during SQ3.

McLaren holds off for a moment and comes out with four minutes left on the clock. Norris and Piastri get one chance to beat Russell; the Briton from Mercedes immediately shoots to P1 again. The difference with Max Verstappen’s first fast lap is huge: the Red Bull driver is 1,7 seconds slower at the Shanghai International Circuit!

It’s little surprise, but George Russell claims sprint pole for the Chinese GP. He is three-tenths faster than his teammate and leads a one-two for Mercedes. Lando Norris starts from third place on Saturday; the reigning world champion has to concede six-tenths to his compatriot. Max Verstappen starts from P8. He is, as mentioned, no less than 1,7 seconds too slow for pole.

Read more Max Verstappen finishes P8, laments ‘disastrous’ sprint qualifying: ‘Zero pace’

• Pos
  Driver
  Team
  Nationality
  Time
• George Russell

  Mercedes

  
  1:31.520
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli

  Mercedes

  
  + 0.289
• Lando Norris

  McLaren

  
  + 0.621
• Lewis Hamilton

  Ferrari

  
  + 0.641
• Oscar Piastri

  McLaren

  
  + 0.704
• Charles Leclerc

  Ferrari