Russell claims dominant Chinese GP Sprint pole

George Russell beats Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli to Shanghai Sprint pole; Lando Norris edges out Lewis Hamilton for third; Antonelli faces impeding investigation; watch the Chinese GP Sprint live on Sky Sports F1 at 3am on Saturday, followed by full qualifying at 7am

Friday 13 March 2026 08:31, UK

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George Russell continued his imperious start to the 2026 Formula 1 season by comfortably beating his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli to pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint.

After winning last weekend's season opener in Australia, Russell topped all three segments of the shorter-format qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit, with his time of 1:31.520s putting him almost three tenths clear of Antonelli.

McLaren's Lando Norris was the best of the rest but the reigning world champion was six tenths off Russell's time as he edged out Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton for third.

Norris could yet be promoted to the front row with Antonelli facing a post-session investigation for impeding the Brit during SQ2, which could result in a three-place grid penalty.

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The third row will also be McLaren-Ferrari as Oscar Piastri took fifth ahead of Charles Leclerc, who appeared to be on course for third place before blowing his first flying lap in SQ3 with an error.

A frustrated Max Verstappen could only manage eighth for Red Bull as the four-time world champion was surprisingly beaten to seventh by Alpine's Pierre Gasly.

There was a further blow for Red Bull as Haas' Oliver Bearman beat Verstappen's team-mate Isack Hadjar to ninth.

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Saturday March 142.25am: Chinese GP Sprint build-up*3am: CHINESE GP SPRINT*4.30am: Ted's Sprint Notebook*5.30am: F1 Academy Race 1*6.30am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*9am: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday March 152.35am: F1 Academy Race 2*5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*9am: Chinese GP reaction: Chequered Flag*10am: Ted's Notebook*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is in Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season at the Chinese Grand Prix from this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime