Russell Takes Sprint Pole in China as Mercedes Lock Out Front Row

Sports

George Russell continued his impressive start to the 2026 Formula 1 season by securing pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race during Sprint Qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit. The Mercedes driver delivered a commanding performance to lead a dominant one two for the team ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Russell set the fastest lap of the session with a time of 1:31.520, finishing almost three tenths of a second ahead of Antonelli. The result marks another strong showing for Mercedes after their victory in the season opening Australian Grand Prix and confirms the team’s early advantage under the new 2026 regulations.

Antonelli once again impressed with second place, continuing a remarkable start to his rookie season. The Italian driver secured a front row start for the sprint race, giving Mercedes the best possible position to control the race when the lights go out in Shanghai.

McLaren’s Lando Norris qualified third and will start the sprint race from the second row. Norris edged out Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth after a strong final run in SQ3. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took fifth place, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ended the session sixth as the two teams remain closely matched behind Mercedes.

Further down the order, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly qualified seventh while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen managed only eighth place after struggling to match the pace of the front runners. Haas driver Oliver Bearman secured ninth, with Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar completing the top ten.

Russell looked in control throughout the entire session, topping SQ1 and SQ2 before delivering the decisive lap in SQ3. His dominance underlined Mercedes’ strong form early in the season and positions him as the favourite heading into the sprint race.

With Mercedes locking out the front row once again and several title contenders starting just behind, the stage is set for an exciting sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit as the Chinese Grand Prix weekend continues.