2025 Chinese GP Qualifying: Piastri Secures Maiden F1 Pole

Oscar Piastri secured the first Grand Prix pole position of his Formula 1 career with a superb performance in a blustery Qualifying session at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix. The McLaren driver, who had previously claimed two Sprint poles, mastered the tricky conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit to lead the field with a 1m 30.641s lap, a new lap record that had only been beaten the day before by Lewis Hamilton. It marked McLaren’s second pole in as many Grands Prix to start the 2025 season, underlining their early-season form as the reigning Constructors’ Champions.

While McLaren looked set for a front-row lockout, George Russell spoiled the party with a late push for Mercedes, snatching second place from Lando Norris by less than a tenth of a second. Russell’s final lap vaulted him ahead of the championship leader, forcing Norris to settle for third. It was a tightly fought session in challenging conditions, but Piastri’s calm and precision ultimately gave him the edge in the pole shootout.

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After Russell, Max Verstappen would start Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix from fourth on the grid for Red Bull, just ahead of Sprint winner Lewis Hamilton, who could only manage fifth in qualifying. The Ferrari driver, fresh off his maiden victory for the team earlier in the day, finished one spot ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc in sixth, as both struggled to match the leading pace in the blustery conditions.

Further back, Isack Hadjar impressed with a standout performance for Racing Bulls, taking seventh and narrowly outqualifying Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Yuki Tsunoda added to Racing Bulls’ strong showing with ninth, increasing the pressure on Liam Lawson, who continued his tough start at Red Bull by qualifying last, once again. Alex Albon rounded out the top 10 for Williams, while Carlos Sainz endured a difficult session and could only manage 15th after a Q2 exit, well off Albon’s pace.

2025 Chinese GP Qualifying Results

2025 Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying, 22 March 2025

Piastri Delivers Under Pressure to Claim First Grand Prix Pole in Shanghai Thriller

Oscar Piastri delivered when it mattered most, overcoming a slow start to Qualifying and surging to his first-ever Grand Prix pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix. While McLaren entered the weekend as favourites after their dominant showing in Melbourne — where Lando Norris won and Piastri was in contention before a costly spin — their grip on the front looked to be slipping as Lewis Hamilton shocked the paddock with Sprint pole and a composed win for Ferrari earlier on Saturday. It briefly cast doubt on whether McLaren’s early-season dominance, predicted by the likes of George Russell, would hold up.

But when the pressure peaked in Q3, it was Piastri who rose to the occasion. After a scrappy start to the session, the Australian put together a commanding first run in the pole shootout to edge Norris by nearly a tenth. With the wind picking up and grip falling away, most of the field struggled to improve on their final laps — yet Piastri delivered a superb final sector to shave another six hundredths off his time, setting a 1:30.641. That effort secured not only his first Grand Prix pole but also McLaren’s second in two races this season. Russell was the standout among McLaren’s challengers, bouncing back from a tough session to steal a front-row spot for Mercedes in the dying seconds, while Verstappen and Norris settled for the second row.

2025 Chinese Grand Prix Starting Grid

The Grand Prix starting grid, with or without penalties, after the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying session.