Lewis Hamilton claimed a surprising pole for Saturday’s Dash on the Chinese language Grand Prix in simply his second race weekend with Ferrari.
Bouncing again in sensational fashion from a troublesome debut with the staff in Melbourne final weekend, when he completed tenth, Hamilton was within the combine on the entrance all through Dash Qualifying at a venue the place he has received the grand prix a file six occasions.
McLaren have been nonetheless favourites to go the grid, however Hamilton had different concepts as – not solely did the seven-time champion outperform new team-mate Charles Leclerc for the primary time – he had extra tempo than all his predominant rivals too to say a primary pole place in motorsport’s iconic pink at simply the second try.
McLaren may solely end third with Oscar Piastri and sixth, after a mistake, with early title-leader Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen will share the Dash entrance row with previous rival Hamilton after one other sturdy displaying in his Purple Bull, with Leclerc fourth after lapping 0.2s slower than the faster Ferrari.
“I didn’t expect that result but so, so happy and so proud,” mentioned a shocked however delighted Hamilton.
“Clearly the final race was a catastrophe for us however we knew there was extra tempo within the automobile.
“I’m a bit shocked. I can’t believe we got a pole in the Sprint!”
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Charles Leclerc was left confused after being advised to concede place to Lewis Hamilton on their out laps on the finish of SQ2
However whereas Verstappen was second, Liam Lawson’s troubled begin to life at Purple Bull’s senior staff received worse as he lapped slowest of all in SQ1.
The New Zealander was simply above the minimize line forward of the ultimate runs however a expensive mistake at Flip 9 noticed him run extensive and condemn him to a back-of-the-grid begin for the Dash.
George Russell was fifth within the lead Mercedes and can share the third row for Saturday morning’s 3am Dash begin with Norris. Kimi Antonelli was seventh within the second Silver Arrow in a much-improved single-lap displaying from the Italian in comparison with his Melbourne debut, the place he dropped out in Q1 earlier than staging a effective restoration drive to fourth within the race.
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Liam Lawson apologises to his staff after being knocked out of SQ1 and qualifying ‘plum final’ for the Dash on the Chinese language Grand Prix
Extra to observe…
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Chinese language GP schedule
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Because the Chinese language Grand Prix hosts the primary of the six Sprints this season, Simon Lazenby explains why this format is so essential
Saturday March 22
- 2.25am: Chinese language GP Dash build-up*
- 3am: Chinese language GP Dash*
- 5.45am: F1 Academy Race 1*
- 6.35am: Chinese language GP Qualifying build-up*
- 7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
- 9am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
Sunday March 23
- 2.40am: F1 Academy Race 2
- 5.30am: Chinese language GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
- 7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
- 9am: Chinese language GP response: Chequered flag*
- 10am: Ted’s Pocket book*
*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Most important Occasion
Formulation 1 is in Shanghai this week for the primary Dash weekend of the season on the Chinese language GP, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
