“Eglebnis not expected”
Surprise: Hamilton grabs the pole
21.03.2025 – 9:52 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
WM leader Lando Norris does not prevail in the sprint qualification in China. Lewis Hamilton fetches the first place in Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton achieved a fist -thick surprise in Formula 1. The Briton secured the first place in Ferrari for the sprint race in Shanghai – just a week after a disappointing result in Australia.
In qualification at the Shanghai International Circuit, the 40-year-old Hamilton prevailed against world champion Max Verstappen with a minimal lead of 0.018 seconds. For the seven -time world champion, it was the first success after moving from Mercedes to Ferrari. Verstappen, who after technical problems at the beginning of the session, still fought in the first series of start. Third place went to the McLaren pilot Oscar Piatri.
After the tight decision, Hamilton was pleased and surprised: “I didn’t expect this result, but of course I’m very proud and happy,” he said. The fact that it went better for Ferrari in Shanghai than recently in Australia came unexpectedly. Hamilton had only become tenth there. “The last race was catastrophic for us,” the Brit recalled the failed appearance in Melbourne.
For Lando Norris, however, the sprint qualification was less pleasant. The winner of the opening race in Australia made a mistake on his fast round and ended up in sixth place. The current World Cup leader is faced with a difficult task if the sprint race starts on Saturday (from 4:00 a.m. in the live ticker at T-Online).
In Shanghai, Norris has to defend his narrow World Cup lead of seven points before Verstappen. The main race will follow on Sunday (from 8 a.m. in the live ticker at T-Online). Verstappen won the Grand Prix in front of Norris last year.