Chinese Grand Prix Sprint grid confirmed as FIA hands veteran pit-lane start
Photo: Race Pictures
Samson Ero is a Formula 1 editor at GPblog with seven years’ experience in sports media. He covers key paddock developments, offering analysis on drivers, teams, and performance trends, with work featured on leading platforms.
The FIA has confirmed changes to the starting grid for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint following a penalty for Williams Racing driver, Alex Albon.
The grid for the Sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit will be led by George Russell, who stormed to pole position with a lap time of 1:31.520 to secure a front-row lockout for Mercedes alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli.
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Scuderia Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton will start from the second row, with their respective teammates Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc lining up directly behind them.
George Russell - Photo: Race Pictures
Pierre Gasly, who avoided a penalty, will start seventh, followed by Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, Oliver Bearman in the Haas and Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull, completing the top 10.
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Albon set to start from the pit lane
The shake-up to the starting order comes mainly at the tail end of the grid. Albon, who originally qualified 18th for Williams, will now start the Sprint from the pit lane.
The Grove-based outfit elected to make set-up changes to his car under parc fermé conditions. Those changes mean the Thai driver will join Sergio Perez, who did not take part in Sprint qualifying, in starting the race from the pit lane.
Confirmed starting grid for the Chinese GP Sprint
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| Grid 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) | |
| 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) | |
| 17 | Carlos Sainz (Williams) | |
| 18 | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) | |
| 19 | Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) | |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) | |
| 21 | Sergio Perez (Cadillac) |
Alex Albon [Driver required to start from pitlane]
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