The first qualifying session of the F1 weekend takes place in China, determining the starting grid for the Sprint Race, with Lewis Hamilton leading the pack. Shanghai hosts the first sprint race of the season, an additional challenge for teams still searching for the right setup with the new cars. The race is set for tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM Central European Standard Time, when the lights go out.
A week after Melbourne, Formula 1 returns to the track for the second round of the season. This time, it’s in Shanghai, a circuit that offers a more accurate picture of the competitive hierarchy on track. It’s an important opportunity for Ferrari, which needs to bounce back after a debut to forget. While Maranello is working on definitive corrections, the team in China is focusing on fine-tuning the setup.
The first session seems to favor the SF-25, with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest time. He later settles for fourth in SQ2 when the McLarens and the ever-dominant Max Verstappen, still Red Bull’s sole contender, step up their pace. In the end, however, pole position goes to car #44 and Ferrari.
Starting Grid and Penalties – 2025 Chinese GP, F1 Sprint Race
Lewis Hamilton – FERRARI
Max Verstappen – RED BULL
Oscar Piastri – MCLAREN
Charles Leclerc – FERRARI
George Russell – MERCEDES
Lando Norris – MCLAREN
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – MERCEDES
Yuki Tsunoda – RACING BULLS
Alexander Albon – WILLIAMS
Lance Stroll – ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso – ASTON MARTIN
Oliver Bearman – HAAS
Carlos Sainz – WILLIAMS
Gabriel Bortoleto – STAKE F1 TEAM KICK SAUBER
Isack Hadjar – RACING BULLS
Jack Doohan – ALPINE
Pierre Gasly – ALPINE
Esteban Ocon – HAAS
Nico Hulkenberg – STAKE F1 TEAM KICK SAUBER
Liam Lawson – RED BULL
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