Antonelli claims first pole position capitalizing on Russell's issue in China

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Photo: Race Pictures
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09:03, 14 Mar
Updated: 09:46, 14 Mar
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Kimi Antonelli topped Qualifying at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix capitalizing on George Russell's issues. This was the young Italian's first Grand Prix pole position ever.
The British driver stopped on track on his first run, and finished two tenths behind his teammate. Lewis Hamilton completed the top three, finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc.
The two McLaren drivers will line up on the third row of the grid in the order of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Pierre Gasly once again out qualified the two Red Bull drivers and finished in seventh place. Max Verstappen will start from P8, ahead of Isack Hadjar and Oliver Bearman.

Q2

After the opening laps of the second session, both Piastri and Hadjar were on the verge of being knocked out. The Frenchman got especially lucky, as Gabriel Bortoleto momentarily stopping in the final corner after a mistake prevented many rivals from improving. He finished just 0.002 seconds ahead of Nico Hülkenberg and 0.005 seconds ahead of Franco Colapinto.
OUT: Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Ocon, Lawson, Lindblad, Bortoleto

Q1

As in SQ1, both Williams drivers, both Aston Martins and both Cadillac drivers were eliminated. Carlos Sainz put in a lap that looked good enough to make it through, but in the final moments both Bortoleto and Colapinto improved.
OUT: Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Bottas, Stroll, Perez

Full results - Qualifying for the Chinese GP

PositionDrivers
1.Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2.George Russell (Mercedes)
3.Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
4.Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5.Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
6.Lando Norris (McLaren)
7.Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
8.Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
9.Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
10.Oliver Bearman (Haas)
Eliminated in Q2-
11.Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
12.Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
13.Esteban Ocon (Haas)
14.Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
15.Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
16.Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
Eliminated in Q1-
17.Carlos Sainz (Williams)
18.Alex Albon (Williams)
19.Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
20.Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
21.Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
22.Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
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