Sprint Qualifying Report - Norris takes sprint pole in chaotic wet q3

Lando Norris
© McLaren

In an unpredictable qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix's sprint race, McLaren's Lando Norris clinched the pole position after a dramatic sequence of events at the Shanghai circuit. The session, marked by a sudden change from dry to wet conditions, saw Norris posting a lap of 1m57.940s which was temporarily deleted, casting uncertainty over the results, before being reinstated, ultimately securing his top spot on the grid.

The qualifying kicked off under dry conditions but was soon disrupted by rain towards the end of the Q2 session. This unexpected weather change prompted teams to switch to intermediate tires, adding an extra layer of challenge as drivers navigated the increasingly slippery track. The changing conditions played a pivotal role in the day's outcomes, with several drivers, including Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, struggling to maintain control. Leclerc notably spun and hit the wall on the exit of Turn 8, requiring a quick pit stop for a new front wing and a change to new intermediate tires.

As the final Q3 session got underway, times were initially above the two-minute mark, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Sergio Perez setting the early pace. However, it was Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin who first broke through, only to be surpassed by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Hamilton's lap seemed set to earn him the pole until the reinstatement of Norris’s earlier faster lap ensured an all-British front row for the upcoming sprint race, with Hamilton settling for second.

Alonso's strong performance earned him third place, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing finishing fourth after a series of precarious moments before delivering a clean final lap. The third row was secured by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari and Perez, followed by a resilient Leclerc in seventh.

The session was not without its peculiar incidents, including a brief delay caused by spontaneously combusting grass lining the track—a bizarre recurrence echoing issues from the first practice session. This incident briefly halted the action but added to the overall unpredictability of the day.

With the grid set, Norris leads Hamilton, setting the stage for what promises to be a riveting sprint race. The top ten drivers, including the two Saubers of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu completing the group.