Piastri grabs maiden Pole Position as Russell splits the McLarens' ahead of Chinese Grand Prix

Rhonan Colquhoun 12:36pm 23rd March 2025

OSCAR Piastri claimed his first-ever Grand Prix Pole Position as the McLaren driver narrowly improved on his final lap after a surprise challenge from Mercedes' George Russell.

Piastri, who claimed second in the Sprint Race earlier, held Provisional Pole Position after the first runs in Q3 with the Australian ahead of the chasing pack on a 1:30:703.

The McLaren driver then improved to a 1:30:641 and watched as his competitors fell by the wayside as they couldn't find any more time. The only other driver to improve on his final lap was Mercedes' George Russell.

MERCEDES POWER: Russell found time on his last time to split the McLaren's with the top three drivers all powered by Mercedes' engines

Unlike others, the Brit found time throughout the three sectors of the Shanghai International Circuit and crossed the line - just 0.082s behind Piastri - jumping from fifth to second.

Before Russell's improvement, it looked certain it was on course to be another McLaren front-row lock-out - continuing on from Australia - with Lando Norris holding second place. The Championship leader bailed out of his final lap after the couldn't find any more time and will line-up in third.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen will start from fourth ahead of Sprint Winner Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in sixth.

Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar was the highest placed rookie with a brilliant lap to go seventh ahead of fellow rookie Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli who's first Q3 lap time was deleted for track limits at Turn 19.

Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon continued to impress with both the Racing Bulls and Williams' drivers making it into Q3 for the second-consecutive time and will line-up in ninth and tenth.

It was also impressive showings by Haas's Esteban Ocon and Kick Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg - who both escaped elimination in Q1 for the first time this season - with both ahead of the Aston Martin pair of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Carlos Sainz Jr continued to struggle in his Williams against team-mate Albon as the Spaniard was knocked out in Q2 after posting the slowest time. He will line-up in 15th.

Despite being optimistic about the team's chances this weekend, Pierre Gasly and team-mate Doohan were knocked out of Q1 - both were in the bottom five in yesterday's Sprint Qualifying - as the team's one-lap pace seems far weaker to their actual race pace.

Haas's Oliver Bearman and Kick Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto were also unable to escape Q1 elimination and were joined by the Red Bull of Liam Lawson who's dismal weekend continued as the New Zealander ended the session last.