A change to the final starting grid for the sprint race in China

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will start the sprint race for the Chinese Grand Prix from the front row. The duo will have to hold off the oncoming McLarens for their first win of the season. Along with that, there is one change to the starting grid compared to the results of sprint qualifying.

Nico Hulkenberg will start the sprint race from the pit lane. The German qualified 19th, and with that, Sauber chose to adjust the setup of his suspension. This is not allowed in parc fermé, and so Hulkenberg has to start the sprint race from the pits.

At the front of the grid, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen start, reminiscent of their title fight in 2021. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc are right behind them in P3 and P4, respectively, hoping to capitalise on a possible duel between the front two. Championship leader Lando Norris will also want to finish higher than his sixth starting spot, with George Russell ahead of him in the Mercedes in P5.

The biggest job once again lies ahead of Liam Lawson. He finished 20th in sprint qualifying and so will start from last place on the grid on Saturday morning. Helmut Marko already stepped up the pressure for Lawson to prove himself in the first few races, so the New Zealander knows what he has to do.

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