George Russell claims pole for Mercedes in China

MERCEDES once again find themselves on the front row of the grid ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race. 

For the second week running, George Russell and Mercedes has dominated qualifying, putting himself on pole position. 

In a similar fashion, Kimi Antonelli is starting alongside him for the Saturday shootout. 

Despite lining the front of the grid, the Brit was three tenths in front of Antonelli.

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton were three tenths back to pick up third and fourth. 

The Italian was lucky not to pick up a penalty after Norris claimed that he was impeded going into Turn 1.

During SQ2, Antonelli was on his way out of the pits for his second run of the session as Norris was heading round. 

However, the stewards determined that the Brit was not currently on a fast lap because the world number one had confirmed on his radio that he was on a fast warmup lap.

If Norris had been pushing, then Antonelli would’ve been given a slam dunk penalty.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has not had the best start to the season so far, only managing 8^th place behind Oscar Piastri in 5^th, Charles Leclerc in 6^th, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in 7^th. 

Finishing off the top ten are Haas’s Oli Bearman in 9^th and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar in 10^th. 

It has been a dismal start to the season for Aston Martin, with their two drivers starting 19^th and 20^th

Last weekend, saw the pair retire, then come back out for a few laps before retiring from the race again.

Williams, who missed the first test session of the season due to the car not being ready, also had a torrid Friday.

Carlos Sainz was knocked out of SQ1, 2 tenths off 16^th, and teammate Alex Albon was 5 tenths off Sainz. 

It’s only the second weekend back, but it already feels like both championships are over before they’ve started. 

Top 10

1. George Russell – Mercedes
2. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
3. Lando Norris – McLaren
4. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
5. Oscar Piastri – McLaren
6. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
7. Pierre Gasly – Alpine
8. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
9. Oliver Bearman – Haas
10. Isack Hadjar – Red Bull