Russell continues Mercedes' 2026 domination in China claiming Sprint pole
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated:
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Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
George Russell continued Mercedes' dominance in Sprint Qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli finished in second, but the Italian driver is under investigation for an incident in SQ2.
In the battle behind Mercedes, Norris finished third, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.
Pierre Gasly impressed with finished seventh. Meanwhile, Red Bull had a difficult day. The Austrian team just made it through to SQ3, where Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar finished eighth and tenth respectively.
Oliver Bearman set the ninth quickest time.
SQ2
The Red Bull drivers came closest to elimination among the frontrunners after finishing ninth and tenth. Verstappen also ran wide on his final attempt in the session.
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Alongside the frontrunner teams, Pierre Gasly and Oliver Bearman qualified for the final session of the day.
After an impeding incident involving Antonelli and Norris, the Italian was under investigation by the stewards.
OUT: Hulkenberg, Ocon, Lawson, Bortoleto, Lindblad, Colapinto
SQ1
Sergio Perez was unable to compete for Cadillac due to a fuel system issue, automatically eliminating the Mexican before the session began.
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Together with the Mexican, his teammate Valtteri Bottas, the two Williams and the two Aston Martins were knocked out.
OUT: Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, Perez
Photo: Race Pictures
Full Results
| Position | Driver |
| 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) |
| Out in SQ2 | |
| 11. | Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) |
| 12. | Esteban Ocon (Haas) |
| 13. | Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) |
| 14. | Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) |
| 15. | Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) |
| 16. | Franco Colapinto (Alpine) |
| Out in SQ3 | |
| 17. | Carlos Sainz (Williams) |
| 18. | Alex Albon (Williams) |
| 19. | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) |
| 20. | Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) |
| 21. | Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) |
| 22. | Sergio Perez (Cadillac) |
Follow the aftermath of Sprint Qualifying with GPblog's liveblog here!
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