Kimi Antonelli is looking to turn his record-breaking Chinese Grand Prix pole into a maiden Formula 1 win on Sunday, and you can follow it live on ESPN here:
Despite gearbox problems for George Russell, Mercedes achieved a second straight front-row lockout for the race in Shanghai – Russell was only able to put in one flying lap in Q3, but it was enough to take him 1–2 in qualifying with Mercedes’ fast pace. As the race pace showed, Ferrari were right behind – Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were right behind them in 3–4. Keep an eye out for their explosive start potential on Sunday – even though the sprint races at the Australian Grand Prix and here at the Chinese Grand Prix indicate that it will be very difficult to challenge Mercedes’ dominance during the race.
Elsewhere, four-time world champion Max Verstappen continued to express his displeasure with the Red Bull car after disappointing qualifying, which left him eighth on the grid behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who impressed.
Oscar Piastri and reigning world champion Lando Norris would finish fifth and sixth respectively for McLaren.
Earlier on Saturday, a dramatic sprint race saw George Russell hold off an early challenge from Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc later made a late push to win the sprint and extend his early lead in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Kimi Antonelli suffered a poor start in that race, finishing fourth – but that’s the kind of start the record makers will want to avoid from pole today.
