Back to news
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese Grand Prix sprint
@Source: the42.ie
Advertisement
League of Ireland
Horse Racing
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
Rugby Weekly Extra
Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week
The Football Family
Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points
Advertisement
More Stories
'I'm a bit in shock. I can't believe we get a pole for the sprint.'Alamy Stock Photo
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese Grand Prix sprint
Hamilton smashes Shanghai lap record for first Ferrari pole.
9.31am, 21 Mar 2025
Share options
LEWIS HAMITLON BROKE the Shanghai lap record to take a stunning pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race as Ferrari bounced back from a torrid season-opener in style on Friday.
Hamilton, who has won a record six Chinese Grands Prix, flew round the resurfaced 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit in 1min 30.849sec in only his second race weekend with Ferrari.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull was second 0.018sec behind and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri third.
Charles Leclerc was fourth in the second Ferrari, Mercedes’ George Russell was fifth, with early championship leader Lando Norris only sixth after he aborted his final flying lap in his McLaren.
Hamilton emerged from his car to a huge ovation from the Shanghai fans.
Advertisement
“I’m a bit in shock,” said the seven-time world champion from Britain, who was only 10th on his Ferrari debut at the season-opening race in Melbourne.
“I can’t believe we get a pole for the sprint. It puts us in good stead for the race.”
Hamilton later added that he was “a bit gobsmacked, taken back by it”.
Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes, Yuki Tsunoda’s RB, Alex Albon’s Williams and Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin rounded out the top 10.
All the cars were obligated to run medium-compound tyres in the first two sprint qualifying sessions, termed SQ1 and SQ2.
Red Bull rookie Liam Lawson had a bad start to his weekend, failing to get out of the first session after having a lap time deleted for exceeding track limits and the New Zealander will start 20th and last.
Also eliminated after the first session were the Alpine pair of Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly, Haas’s Esteban Ocon and the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg.
In SQ2, Fernando Alonso was 11th in the Aston Martin and missed out on the top-10 shootout.
Also eliminated were Oliver Bearman’s Haas, the Williams of Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto in a Sauber and Isack Hadjar’s RB.
The 19-lap sprint race will take place on Saturday morning before grand prix qualifying later the same day.
Sunday sees the Chinese Grand Prix over 56 laps.
– © AFP 2025
Viewcomments
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese Grand Prix sprint”.
Recipient's Email
Feedback on “Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese Grand Prix sprint”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment...
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
before taking part.
Leave a Comment
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech
An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic
An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language
Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Please provide additional information
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
Leave a commentcancel
Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user
View our policy
⚠️ Duplicate comment
Post Comment
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
Formula One
Lewis Hamilton
News in 60 seconds
FreeAthletics
Kate O'Connor firmly in the medal hunt after magnificent start at World Indoors
Butler triple-double leads Warriors past Raptors as Steph Curry injured
53 mins ago
Freeteenage dream
Luke Littler hits nine-dart finish en route to Premier League win in Cardiff
FreePGA Tour
Seamus Power and Shane Lowry start brightly at Valspar Championship
Na Fianna and Sarsfields dominate club teams of the year
talking point
Can Ireland's man of the match solve their biggest problem?
Packie Bonner is angry at League of Ireland clubs over botched FAI plan... but it is misplaced
David Sneyd
As it happened
Bulgaria v Ireland, Nations League playoff
recognition
Two Irish players feature in Six Nations team of the tournament
'He energised everyone he was near. It's a huge loss' - F1 legend Eddie Jordan dies aged 76
Jeremy Loughman returns from injury for Munster's clash with Glasgow
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online
Sign in or create
a free account
To continue reading create a free account
Or sign into an existing account
Related News
21 Mar, 2025
PM in India: US trade, defence and new f . . .
27 Mar, 2025
AlphaGen Announces Results of ASGM and S . . .
20 Mar, 2025
Boys golf: Preseason Top 20 rankings, 20 . . .
17 Mar, 2025
Trump makes shock admission after winnin . . .
17 Mar, 2025
White Lotus fans disgusted by 'sick' inc . . .
13 Feb, 2025
NRL to resume Perth talks after March st . . .
25 Mar, 2025
Where to buy 2025 New York Yankees hats, . . .
10 Feb, 2025
Tom Cruise recalls wild stunt in new Mis . . .