F1 Chinese GP LIVE: Latest sprint race updates as Lewis Hamilton retains lead from arch rival Max Verstappen
Follow updates from the Shanghai International Circuit as Hamilton starts on pole ahead of Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton landed his first pole position as a Ferrari driver by taking the top spot for Saturday’s sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix.
The 40-year-old, in only his second appearance for the Italian team, saw off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.018 seconds in Shanghai to ensure he will start from the front for the 19-lap dash to the chequered flag.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri qualified third with Hamilton’s team-mate Charles Leclerc fourth, with the Monegasque acknowledging that he was off the pace compared to his British teammate on Friday.
George Russell took fifth for Mercedes, one place ahead of championship leader Lando Norris, who made a mistake on his final lap. The sprint race, the first shortened race of six this year, takes place at 3am (GMT) on Saturday before grand prix qualifying at 7am (GMT).
Follow live updates of the Chinese Grand Prix with The Independent
Max Verstappen struggling (Lap 11/19)
Max Verstappen was pushing - within 0.3 seconds of Hamilton - but maybe he’s ruined his tyres, as he’s dropped 1.5 seconds behind!
Verstappen now under pressure from Piastri - 0.6 secs the gap.
4-8: Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Antonelli, Stroll
Norris now three seconds behind Stroll in ninth!
Hamilton:
“I’ve got front left graining.”
Verstappen now within DRS... 0.7 secs...
Lewis Hamilton still in P1! (Lap 8/19)
The race just getting some structure now...
Hamilton has a 1.1 second lead so it’s marginal... but it’s still outside DRS!
Piastri has it though by 0.8 seconds to Verstappen!
4-10: Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Antonelli, Stroll, Norris, Alonso
Lewis Hamilton outside of DRS range! (Lap 3/19)
This is the old school Lewis Hamilton we remember!
He’s flying in the SF-25 around Shanghai - and with a one-two finish, he’s outside DRS to Verstappen!
Top-10: Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Antonelli, Stroll, Norris, Alonso
A reminder: only the top-8 get points! Work to do for Norris...
George Russell takes fourth from Leclerc!
The Mercedes getting it done down the back straight for fourth!
Hamilton 0.7 secs in front of Verstappen - can he get out of DRS range early doors here?!
Lights out!
They’re away cleanly - and Lewis Hamilton reacts well!
Max Verstappen goes aggressive but the Brit holds the Red Bull behind him at turn 1!
Lando Norris, meanwhile, has dropped from sixth to ninth (and out of the points) after getting out of shape in combat with George Russell!
All clean though...
Formation lap!
Lewis Hamilton - yes, Lewis Hamilton! - leads the pack around then for the formation lap ahead of the sprint!
It will be 19 laps around this circuit, with the entire field on medium tyres to start with.
A reminder: no mandatory pit stops for this race.
Who will lead after lap one here?!
Good morning!
A quick reminder of the format of this race and the points on offer:
Saturday: Sprint race (Top-eight receive points, finish order has no impact on grand prix grid, no mandatory pit stops); Grand Prix qualifying
Sunday: Grand Prix
How many points are on offer in the sprint race?
P1 - Eight points
P2 - Seven points
P3 - Six points
P4 - Five points
P5 - four points
P6 - three points
P7 - two points
P8 - one point
Rock-and-roll Eddie Jordan gave Schumacher his debut – and his flamboyance captivated F1’s paddock
An old-school Irishman of quick wit and vibrancy, Eddie Jordan was a Formula One figure whose influence touched every corner of motorsport’s most-famed paddock throughout a career in the sport lasting over 30 years.
From a promising race driver and savvy team owner to a captivating broadcaster and erudite manager, Jordan’s sad passing at the age of 76 on Thursday, after a year-long battle with cancer, has sent shockwaves through a sport now in its pomp.
Full tribute below:
Rock-and-roll Eddie Jordan had an Irish flamboyance which captivated F1’s paddock
Formula 1 in talks over new grand prix with Stefano Domenicali ‘impressed’ by plans
A new grand prix in Bangkok could soon come to fruition after Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali paid a visit to Thailand to discuss plans.
Domenicali travelled to the Asian country in the days following last weekend’s season opener in Australia, meeting Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
There, he heard about the nation’s ambitions to stage an inaugural F1 race on its streets.
Thailand is one of several countries eager to join an already packed calendar - but with the Dutch Grand Prix’s impending departure from the schedule in 2026, there may just be space for a new race down the line.
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