Ferrari’s Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese Grand Prix sprint

A ‘gobsmacked’ Lewis Hamilton obliterated the Shanghai lap record to take a stunning pole position on Friday for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint in only his second race weekend with Ferrari.

Hamilton, who has won a record six Chinese Grands Prix, flew round the resurfaced 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit in 1min 30.849sec.

His lap easily beat the 1:32.238 set in 2004 at the inaugural Chinese GP by fellow seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, also in a Ferrari.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who won both the sprint and main race in China last year, was second fastest 0.018sec behind and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was third.

Charles Leclerc was fourth as Ferrari showed a big improvement from Melbourne, where Hamilton was 10th and Leclerc eighth -- the Scuderia’s worst season-opening performance since 2009.

“I’m just a bit gobsmacked, taken back by it. I didn’t know when we would get to this position,” said Hamilton, who emerged from his car to a huge ovation from the Chinese fans.

“I started out straight away with a better feeling in the car. I can’t believe we are at the front, ahead of a McLaren which has been so fast throughout winter testing, Australia and even today.”

A big surprise was Melbourne winner Lando Norris, whose McLaren had been fastest by almost half a second in morning practice ahead of Leclerc, Piastri and Hamilton.

Norris was sixth after he ran wide and aborted his final flying lap.

“I made a mistake. I locked up in the last corner,” admitted Norris, who complained his car was not to his liking.

“Just too many mistakes but just too difficult of a car to drive,” the Englishman said.

Verstappen said he was fortunate to be second on the grid for the sprint race.

“The lap was very good. I don’t even think we should have been on the front row anyway so I’m very happy to be second,” said the four-time world champion.

Mercedes’ George Russell was fifth with his teammate Kimi Antonelli seventh behind Norris.

Yuki Tsunoda’s RB, Alex Albon’s Williams and Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin rounded out the top 10.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said it was difficult to understand the difference between Friday’s sessions.

Agence France-Presse