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F1 2025 Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying: Ferrari’s Hamilton Takes Pole, Verstappen Finishes 2nd
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Ferrari superstar Lewis Hamilton will lead the first Sprint Race of the 2025 Formula One (F1) calendar.
The seven-time Drivers’ World Champion, who only finished 10th under treacherous conditions in Melbourne last week, drove a perfect lap under pressure in the 2025 Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying, clocking 1:30.849.
Lewis' second-ever #Sprint pole
…and his first for @ScuderiaFerrari 🤩#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/Bnp6AJ2JHb
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 21, 2025
Read on to get the full picture of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying.
F1 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying: Lewis Hamilton Secures First Ferrari Pole Position, Lando Norris Drops to 5th
After failing to live up to expectations in the Australian GP, Lewis Hamilton bagged his first pole position, edging out rival Max Verstappen. He also claimed the top spot in SQ1.
Here is the complete breakdown of all three Quali rounds.
SQ1: 12 Minutes
Top 3
Ferrari newcomer Lewis Hamilton claimed the top spot in SQ1, completing the lap in 1:31.212. Lando Norris (+0.184) secured the second spot, while Charles Leclerc (+0.306). came home in third.
Bottom 5
Alpine duo Jack Doohan (+1.363) and Pierre Gasly (+1.428) crashed out alongside Haas’ Esteban Ocon (+1.439) and Nico Hulkenberg (+1.463). Red Bull newboy Liam Lawson (+1.517) also failed to make it to SQ2, finishing 20th.
SQ2: 10 Minutes
Top 3
Lando Norris’ rapid McLaren topped the timing chart in SQ2, finishing his lap in 1.31.174. Mercedes frontman George Russel (+0.172) delivered a mega lap under pressure to go second fastest. Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri (+0.188) finished third.
Bottom 5
Fernando Alonso (+0.641), Oliver Bearman (+0.804), Carlos Sainz (+1.151), Gabriel Bortoleto (+1.390), and Isack Hadjar (No Time) were eliminated from SQ2.
SQ3: 8 Minutes
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri put down the market, getting a 1:30.929. His teammate, and Drivers’ Championship frontrunner Lando Norris, made a mistake at Turn 12 and failed to a competitive lap. Lewis Hamilton went next, got purple in S1 and finished at 1:30.849. Norris threatened to dethrone him, but a braking mishap compelled the Brit to abort his lap.
Hamilton’s old foe Max Verstappen (+0.018) claimed the second position, delivering a mega lap under pressure and pushing Piastri (+0.080) down to third.
Here is how the grid will look on Saturday, 22 March:
FAQs
Who Took Pole in the F1 2025 Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying?
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton took pole in the F1 2025 Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying, marking his first Sprint pole since Silverstone in 2021.
He is also the first driver, over the age of 40, to take the pole in any F1 format since Nigel Mansell.
Who Was the Fastest Rookie in the 2025 China GP Sprint Quali?
Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli (+0.889) out-qualified all his rookie peers in the 2025 China GP Sprint Quali. He will start in seventh place in Saturday’s Sprint.