The Mercedes pair locked out the front row once more, this time for the Sprint in China. George Russell was the one to take the top spot, with Antonelli in second. It was Lando Norris who got closest to the speed of the Silver Arrows, as the reigning World Champion will start in third. Continuing reading below for the full Sprint Qualifying report.
SQ1 Report:
The first session of Sprint Quali was relatively without drama, as Russell set the quickest time right off the bat with just one flying lap. One driver that impressed was Pierre Gasly, who was fast in free practice and still seems to be, the Frenchman going to seventh in SQ1. Max Verstappen was one who was unable to set times to challenge the top runners, as he made it to SQ2 while being only eleventh. The drivers who were not able to advance and were eliminated were Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, and Perez.
SQ2 Report:
Mercedes continued to impress in the second session of Sprint Qualifying, while Pierre Gasly and Ollie Bearman also showed off the speed of their Alpine and Haas respectively. One team that seems to be struggling is Red Bull, whose drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar just barely escaped to SQ3, with the pair ninth and tenth in the list. The drivers who were eliminated are Hulkenberg, Ocon, Lawson, Bortoleto, Linblad, and Colapinto.
SQ3 Report:
The top ten shootout brought more Mercedes domination, with Russell earning pole position and Antonelli completing a front row lock-out for the team. Lando Norris was the best of the rest in his McLaren, going third fastest ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari. Oscar Piastri is back in fifth, while Charles Leclerc could only manage sixth. Gasly finished off a strong qualifying sessio with a P7, with Max Verstappen unhappy back in eighth. It was Bearman and Hadjar that rounded out the top ten.
