Piastri set a time of 1m 30.703s on the opening runs of the decisive pole shootout and improved to 1m 30.641s with his second effort, giving him P1 over Russell by just under a tenth of a second.
Russell put in a strong lap to grab P2, while championship leader Norris settled for P3. Reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen took P4, followed by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in P5 and Charles Leclerc in P6.
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A standout performance from Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar secured him P7, with Kimi Antonelli (P8), Yuki Tsunoda (P9), and Alex Albon (P10) rounding out the Chinese GP Qualifying Results top 10.
Chinese GP Qualifying Results: Top 10
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:30.641
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:30.723
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:30.793
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:30.817
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:30.927
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:31.021
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:31.079
- Antonio Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:31.103
- Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 1:31.638
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:31.706
Q1 – Norris Fastest, Lawson Out Early Again
After an exciting Sprint Qualifying session and Hamilton’s impressive Sprint race victory, attention shifted to Chinese GP Qualifying Results, which determined the final race grid.
All 20 drivers started on soft tyres, and Piastri initially led with 1m 31.591s. However, Verstappen later set a quicker 1m 31.424s.
A strong performance from Racing Bulls’ Tsunoda and Hadjar saw them finish Q1 in P4 and P5, while Albon (P6) and Bearman (P7) also impressed.
Norris was the last driver to post a time, securing P7, while Leclerc (P13) struggled and faced elimination threats.
The final Q1 eliminations were:
Lawson, Ocon, Gasly, Sainz, and Doohan.
Q2 – Norris Lays Down a Marker
The fight for Chinese GP Qualifying Results intensified in Q2, with Norris clocking the fastest time (1m 30.787s), over half a second ahead of Piastri.
Verstappen took P3, followed by Russell (P4), Tsunoda (P5), and Antonelli (P6).
Ferrari’s Hamilton (P7) and Leclerc (P8) secured their spots in Q3, while Albon (P9) and Hulkenberg (P10) also made it through.
The drivers eliminated in Q2:
Stroll, Ocon, Hadjar, Alonso, and Sainz.
Q3 – Piastri Pips Russell and Norris
When Q3 began, Verstappen set the first benchmark at 1m 30.925s, but Norris quickly responded with a 1m 30.793s.
However, Piastri stunned the grid with a 1m 30.703s, ultimately improving to 1m 30.641s, securing his first-ever pole position in Chinese GP Qualifying Results.
Top 3: Piastri (P1), Russell (P2), Norris (P3)
Sprint winner Hamilton finished P5, with Leclerc in P6
Hadjar (P7) and Tsunoda (P9) impressed for Racing Bulls
A pit lane incident involving Hadjar and Verstappen will be reviewed by stewards.
Driver Reactions to Chinese GP Qualifying Results
Oscar Piastri (Pole Position, McLaren)
“In Q3, I just found a lot of pace – Q1 and Q2 I was struggling. The car just came alive, and I think I came alive. I’m pumped to be on pole.”
George Russell (P2, Mercedes)
“One of the hardest qualifying sessions I’ve done. I had a big moment at Turn One, but to be between the McLarens… I’m buzzing for tomorrow.”
Lando Norris (P3, McLaren)
“Oscar deserves it. He did a very good job. I made a couple of mistakes, but I feel much more comfortable in the car now.”
Max Verstappen (P4, Red Bull)
“It was tricky. We were quick, but not quick enough for pole today.”
Lewis Hamilton (P5, Ferrari)
“The car was really hard to drive today. It wasn’t hugging the road.”
Charles Leclerc (P6, Ferrari)
“We maximized our performance, but we need to understand where the car’s potential has gone.”