F1 qualifying, Chinese GP: Norris wins pole for the sprint race

Mini qualifications, huge chaos. AND’ Lando Norris in the McLaren to take the “small” pole for the first sprint race of the year which will take place in Shanghai tomorrow (at dawn in Italy, at 5). Under a gray sky and then the rain that fell in the last part of the session and which shortly before surprisingly eliminated George Russell’s Mercedes from the final battle, the cars took to the slippery (and bitumen) track on wet tyres. Only Lando manages to stay afloat, even if his time is first canceled and then returned mocking that of Hamilton, who had been the best up to that point: “First of all, I’m extremely happy. It was tricky, you’re always nervous during a session like this. You just have to risk a lot, push and increase the tire temperature and what not. I’m happy, sad because it wasn’t an adequate qualification, but good enough. You only have three turns. The first two I miscarried both so it was all or nothing, a good position for tomorrow.”

When, in theory, a dry race is expected to be followed (at 9am) from the actual qualifications for Sunday’s GP. Meanwhile, the Chinese appetizer was useful, although indigestible. First time this year that the cars are fitted with intermediate rain tyres. And they all slip, starting with Charles Leclerc who loses the Ferrari as soon as it hits the ground. The Monegasque manages to get the red car back on track after a change of front wing and there is only one attempt for him: he finishes 7th. The best go off the track, and therefore also Max Verstappen: 4th. Many have their times taken away for exceeding track limits, including Norris, before it is returned to them. His 1’57”940 beats the time set by the rain king by 1’2, Lewis Hamilton, who will start 2nd with Mercedes. Behind him, the former rival, Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin with which he has just renewed. The best Ferrari belongs to Carlos Sainz, 5th at +2’2, who precedes the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez (6th). Closing out the top ten are Piastri’s McLaren, and the two Saubers of Bottas and Zhou, the latter highly applauded, being the first Chinese politician to start a GP on home soil. Where, among the anomalies of a race that returns to the calendar after 5 years precisely foreseeing the format with the sprint race, strange phenomena are added: in one corner (number 7) sudden fires light up, apparently caused by sparks from the cars released on the grass.

It happened during the mini qualifying but also in the first and only free practice session held during the Italian night with insignificant times and different work: the Aston Martin Lance Stroll he set the best time (1’36”302). Oscar Piastri’s McLaren followed 3 tenths behind. Only third was Max Verstappen on the Red Bull (+0″358) ahead of the other blue of Sergio Perez (+0″388). The reds are far behind: 13th Charles Leclerc and 14th Carlos Sainz. The Maranello boss: Fred Vasseur, at the end of the day: “Treacherous conditions with very little grip, it was the first time we used these tires this year, the fact that the asphalt was covered in bitumen didn’t help.”