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Russell Takes China Sprint Pole as Mercedes Locks Out Front Row

A post-session stewards review could reshape the front row in a weekend defined by limited practice and reliability setbacks.

Overview

  • Stewards are investigating Kimi Antonelli for allegedly impeding Lando Norris in SQ2, a ruling that could drop the rookie and promote Norris to the front row.
  • McLaren led the pursuit with Norris qualifying third and Oscar Piastri fifth, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took fourth ahead of Charles Leclerc in sixth.
  • Ferrari abandoned its experimental rotating rear wing after practice and switched to a conventional rear wing for qualifying.
  • Cadillac’s Sergio Perez missed sprint qualifying due to a fuel system fault identified in FP1, leaving team-mate Valtteri Bottas as the squad’s only runner in the session.
  • Red Bull’s struggles persisted as Max Verstappen qualified eighth after complaining about drivability, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly impressing in seventh.