Russell Takes Dominant Chinese Gp Sprint Pole

George Russell led team-mate Kimi Antonelli arsenic Mercedes dominated qualifying for nan sprint title astatine nan Chinese Grand Prix.

Russell was 0.289 seconds clear of nan Italian and a monolithic 0.621secs up of nan first non-Mercedes, world champion Lando Norris successful nan McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton was 4th for Ferrari, conscionable 0.02secs slower than Norris, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri took 5th up of nan 2nd Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen could negociate only eighth place, 1.734secs disconnected nan gait and down nan Alpine of Pierre Gasly.

Haas' Oliver Bearman was ninth up of nan 2nd Red Bull of Isack Hadjar.

Russell's rod was his 2nd successful six days aft he took rod and triumph successful nan season-opening title successful Australia.

And nan qualifying convention followed a very akin shape to Melbourne - Russell astir 0.3secs quicker than Antonelli and nan quickest Ferrari a akin chunk further behind.

In Australia, nan Ferrari was overmuch much competitory successful nan race.

The large outliers were Red Bull. Hadjar qualified 3rd successful Australia but some cars were measurement disconnected nan gait successful Shanghai.

Verstappen, who collapsed connected his first thigh successful Australia aft his rear brakes locked astatine nan first corner, did astatine slightest complete a convention and was astir 0.5secs up of his team-mate.

But that will beryllium nary consolation for nan four-time champion erstwhile nan spread to nan beforehand is truthful large.

More to follow