Piastri takes maiden pole position for Chinese Grand Prix

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has secured pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix, his first ever. The Australian will start ahead of a delighted George Russell. Australian GP winner Lando Norris will start from third on tomorrow's grid.

Following Lewis Hamilton's victory in the sprint race earlier today the time had come for qualifying. Nico Hulkenberg was the first to take the track but slowly followed by a large number of cars who were queuing up behind him at the exit of the pitlane.

5 minutes into the session Doohan had already spun his car but managed to get back quickly. Leclerc outbraked himself at the end of the back straight and Piastri took the top of the timing sheet, topping Hamilton, Russell and Gasly. Norris and Antonelli were among the top ranked drivers too but they saw their times deleted for exceeding track limits. Norris in Turn 9, Antonelli for going wide in the last corner.

The Red Bulls were out slightly later. Verstappen made perfect use of it to go fastest on his first lap, midway in the session. The Racing Bulls were on a similar run plan as Red Bull and they only set their first timed laps with 8 minutes remaining. Both drivers did well as Tsunoda moved up into 4th and Hadjar 5th. Albon and Alonso slotted in right behind them moments later after both of them had done low key early laps.

Norris and Antonelli did another attempt and went third and seventh fastest with 3 minutes remaining. Norris notably was still flirting with track limits on his lap, coming close to get it deleted once again.

With 3 minutes left, Ocon, Gasly, Sainz, Lawson and Doohan were the drivers eliminated. The Aston Martins, Saubers and Leclerc were those definitely in danger.

With everybody but Verstappen on track in the final minutes lots of drivers gained considerable positions still. Both Racing Bulls briefly jumped to the top of the timing sheet before Norris set things straight and did that himself.

Eventually Stroll narrowly made it through whereas Gasly, Bearman, Doohan, Bortoleto and Lawson were out.

In Q2 the Mercedes were out first but were again soon followed by the rest of the pack, resulting in a time set for everyone during the first 5 minutes of the session. In those laps Norris proved fastest, four tenths ahead of Piastri and Verstappen. Russell was 4th fastest, followed by Tsunoda, Antonelli, Hamilton, Albon, Leclerc and Hulkenberg.

The remaining Haas of Ocon was obviously in danger to get ousted, along with Sainz, Hadjar and the two Aston Martin drivers.

Again both Red Bulls proved potent and easily secured themselves a spot into Q3. Sainz improved but stuck at 15th position. Alonso improved as well but a poor middle sector made sure it was good enough only to get himself ahead of Stroll. The Astons were out along with Ocon and Hulkenberg.

Verstappen was first to take the track and he set a very respectable time. Piastri however was faster while Hamilton ended up at two thousandths. Norris ended up in second place, 0.009s off of his teammate.

At Mercedes Russell snuck in between the Ferrari duo in 5th while Antonelli once again had a lap deleted for going wide on the exit of the final corner.

For the second flying lap Verstappen was again a draw of attention as he was first displeased that Hadjar got ejected out of the pitbox right into his path. To set things straight he re-passed the Racing Bull on the back straight to still be able to start his flyer ahead.

Verstappen didn't make much process as Piastri and Norris later failed to improve. The only real joy was to be found at Mercedes where an excellent lap by Russell moved him up into second place behind Piastri who secured pole position.