George Russell just does it again. Just like in Melbourne, the Brit controlled the entire qualifying session, dominated every segment and finished more than three tenths ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli. The Silver Arrows are on row one and two. The story of the sprint race writes itself.
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Russell clocked a 1:31.520 and left the entire field behind him. Behind the Mercedes wall, it’s crowded: Lando Norris takes P3 for McLaren, but has Lewis Hamilton breathing down his neck. The seven-time champion, last year’s winner of this sprint race in Shanghai, starts fourth in the Ferrari. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc complete the top six. Pierre Gasly surprised with a strong seventh time for Alpine, a result that not everyone had seen coming.
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Then Max Verstappen. Eighth on the starting grid. Red Bull is visibly struggling, and that’s an understatement. Verstappen had to go through the gravel in his final attempt, just enough to go through. Teammate Isack Hadjar had an equally difficult time. Oliver Bearman did a lot better on behalf of Haas and captured a surprising ninth starting position.
At the back of the field, it’s one big disappointment. Franco Colapinto is on P16, far behind his Alpine teammate Gasly. Williams finished on P17 and P18 with Sainz and Albon. Aston Martin is on the penultimate row, and Cadillac occupies the very last row.
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The sprint race starts Saturday at 08.00 Dutch time.
Read everything about the Chinese GP here
