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Find your frequency herePiastri fastest in Shanghai, takes maiden F1 Grand Prix pole
Peter McGinley • March 22nd, 2025 9:44 pm
Oscar Piastri has edged out Mercedes’ George Russell to claim his maiden F1 Grand Prix pole position in qualifying for Sunday’s race.
The Aussie set a benchmark of 1:30.641, just 0.082 seconds ahead of his British counterpart, who split the McLaren pair with Lando Norris in third.
Piastri was pleased with the front row start for the Chinese Grand Prix, after going one better than last Saturday in Melbourne.
“(In) Q3 just found a lot of pace, in Q1 and Q2 I was genuinely struggling," said the Aussie.
“The car just came alive in Q3 and I think I came alive in Q3, so happy with what I did at the end, even still the laps were a little bit scrappy.
“I’m just pumped to be on pole, so very happy.”
Piastri's result is the fastest lap ever set at the Shanghai International Circuit, owing to a recent resurfacing of the entire track, which made his afternoon’s work both exciting but difficult at the same time.
“It’s a lot of fun I think with the new surface, it’s extremely grippy, which for us is the best feeling in the world. The only thing that comes with that is when you lose grip, it bites,” said the Aussie.
“I think you’ve probably seen a lot of snaps, a lot of moments this weekend and with the surface we’ve got it’s pretty tricky, but when you hook it up, it feels pretty mega, so I’ll take the fastest lap of Shanghai.”
Second place sitter George Russell was quite pleased with his qualifying result after a challenging session.
“It was one of the hardest qualifying sessions I’ve done in a long, long time,” said the Mercedes driver.
“I was trying all sorts with my preparation of the tyres, and nothing seemed to be clicking, and I did something totally differently on that last lap and it just all came alive….Just so happy to be P2.”
Lando Norris in the other McLaren congratulated his teammate on his maiden F1 Grand Prix pole, however noted that after a challenging weekend so far in Shanghai for him personally, qualifying yielded fresh optimism heading into the Chinese Grand Prix.
“I’m always disappointed if I’m not on pole, but Oscar deserves it today, he’s done a very good job all weekend,” said Norris.
“Happy for him, his first pole in Formula 1.
“Just a couple of mistakes again kinda be my case this weekend, but the car is feeling a bit better today, I felt a lot more comfortable with the car.
“It’s a step in the right direction especially from yesterday where I was struggling a lot, a much better direction that we’re going in, so not too disappointed.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fourth ahead of Shanghai sprint race winner Lewis Hamilton in fifth.
Charles Leclerc was sixth in the other Ferrari, ahead of Isack Hadjar in seventh for Racing Bulls, his first career appearance in the pointy end of qualifying.
The rookie, however, was noted by FIA stewards for an unsafe release into the path of Max Verstappen as the cars returned to the Shanghai International Circuit for the second set of flying laps in Q3.
Kimi Antonelli was eighth in the second Mercedes, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda in ninth.
Williams’ Alex Albon rounded out the top ten.
Williams’ Alex Albon rounded out the top ten.
Q2
Esteban Ocon made his and Haas’ first Q2 appearance of 2025 while narrowly missing out on the final part of qualifying by 0.03s, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg who was 12th fastest and claimed Kick Sauber’s best qualifying result so far this season.
Esteban Ocon made his and Haas’ first Q2 appearance of 2025 while narrowly missing out on the final part of qualifying by 0.03s, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg who was 12th fastest and claimed Kick Sauber’s best qualifying result so far this season.
Both Aston Martin cars were eliminated, with Fernando Alonso 13th ahead of Lance Stroll in 14th.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz was the final car out in Q2 in 15th place.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz was the final car out in Q2 in 15th place.
Q1
Both Alpines failed to make it past Q1, with Pierre Gasly finishing 16th fastest and Jack Doohan in 18th.
Both Alpines failed to make it past Q1, with Pierre Gasly finishing 16th fastest and Jack Doohan in 18th.
Sandwiched in between the two was the Haas of Ollie Bearman in 17th.
Gabriel Bortoleto was 19th fastest for Kick Sauber ahead of Kiwi Liam Lawson who was 20th and last for Red Bull, his struggle in 2025 so far continuing.
The 2025 Chinese Grand prix gets underway on Sunday at 8:00pm NZDT
