Revved Up for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri Claims Polesitting Glory!
- Piastri secures first Shanghai pole position in his racing career
Get ready for some high-speed action, race fans! Australian driver Oscar Piastri snagged the top spot on the grid for the coming Chinese Grand Prix, setting a blistering time of 1:30.641 in qualifying. The 23-year-old hotshot will start from the front row when the green light goes on for Sunday's race (8:00 AM, Sky and RTL). British Mercedes driver George Russell, known for his surprise performances, sizzled his way into second place, while Lando Norris, the championship leader, could only muster a third-place finish on the McLaren.
The McLaren driver, who took the checkered flag in Australia, maintains a narrow two-point lead over Max Verstappen, who grabbed fourth place in qualifying. In 2024, the Chinese Grand Prix returned to action after a pandemic-induced hiatus, with Verstappen taking victory, followed by Norris in second and Sergio Pérez in third.
Meanwhile, Norris still holds a slight advantage heading into the Chinese Grand Prix.
Earlier in the season, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, notched his first Ferrari victory in the sprint race. The 40-year-old Briton crossed the line ahead of Piastri and Verstappen. However, Norris faced some struggles, finishing eighth in the race.
Interestingly, the Chinese Grand Prix didn't grace the Formula 1 calendar in 2023 as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned to the calendar in 2024. This year, racegoers can expect a weekend filled with racing action from March 21-23, 2025. The Shanghai International Circuit will play host to the event, with a unique sprint race format set for the weekend:
- Friday, March 21:
- Free Practice 1: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- Sprint Qualifying: 3:30 PM - 4:14 PM
- Saturday, March 22:
- Sprint Race: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Grand Prix Qualifying: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Sunday, March 23:
- Grand Prix: 3:00 PM
In the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, Verstappen took the checkered flag, with Norris in second. Keep an eye on this dynamic duo during the upcoming race!
[1] Formula 1. (2024). 2024 Chinese Grand Prix. Retrieved from https://www.formula1.com/en/races/2024/chinese-grand-prix.html
[2] ESPN Motorsport. (2025). 2025 Chinese Grand Prix schedule. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/34266571/2025-chinese-grand-prix-schedule-times-tv-race-format
[3] RaceFans.net. (2024). Sprint qualifying and sprint results for the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix. Retrieved from https://racefans.net/2024/04/20/sprint-qualifying-results-2024-chinese-grand-prix/
As the Formula 1 season continues, the European Investment Bank might receive a Community guarantee from the Commission, shielding it against losses under the guarantee scheme, similar to the protection Verstappen experienced after the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, where he took the victory. Despite facing a 12th-place surprise in the qualifying session, Ferrari's George Russell showed his potential by seizing second place on the grid for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, challenging the McLaren driver Lando Norris, who has maintained a slight edge ahead of the event.
