George Russell controls Chinese GP sprint qualifying to pole
13th March 2026Mercedes’ George Russell has stormed his way to his first-ever sprint pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix, completing a whitewash of Friday’s action.
Feature image credit: Mercedes F1
Russell has been untouchable on Friday after the Briton completed both the sole practice session and sprint qualifying with the fastest time, controlling his way to pole position for the latter session.
In each third of sprint qualifying, the Mercedes driver continued his strong, early form from Melbourne and topped each third as he waltzed his way to the top spot of the grid.
His teammate, Kimi Antonelli, finished 0.289s behind the Briton, locking out the front row for the second consecutive weekend in any qualifying session.
However, the young Italian has a pending investigation to deal with after it was reported that he allegedly impeded the reigning world champion, McLaren’s Lando Norris, at the first corner.
Meaning, it could result in a grid drop if it is found that Antonelli impeded the world champion. It would drop him to fifth, and would promote Norris onto the front row after the defending champion qualified third ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, in fourth.
It was not the only impeding investigation to be conducted by the stewards as Alpine’s Pierre Gasly had allegedly impeded Red Bull’s four-time world champion early in qualifying.
Both drivers had finished inside the top 10 for the sprint, with Gasly edging out Verstappen in seventh and eighth, respectively.
Who qualified where?
- George Russell, Mercedes – 1m 31.520s
- Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes* +0.289s
- Lando Norris, McLaren* +0.621s
- Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari +0.641s
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren +0.704s
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +1.008s
- Pierre Gasly, Alpine* +1.368s
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing* +1.734s
- Oliver Bearman, Haas +1.889s
- Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing +2.203s
- Nico Hulkenberg, Audi +0.593s
- Esteban Ocon, Haas +0.597s
- Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls +0.672s
- Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi +0.732s
- Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls +1.006s
- Franco Colapinto, Alpine +1.285s
- Carlos Sainz, Williams +1.731s
- Alexander Albon, Williams +2.275s
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +2.551s
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +3.121s
- Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac +4.348s
- Sergio Perez, Cadillac – did not participate
Read more Formula 1 here:
- 2026 Chinese Grand Prix: Sprint Qualifying results
- George Russell heads Antonelli at sole Chinese GP practice
- Chinese Grand Prix Preview: Mercedes look to continue dominant form in Shanghai
- FIA confirm post-race checks ahead of Chinese Grand Prix
- The Writers Verdict: 2026 Australian Grand Prix
- Antonelli admits to ‘stressful’ start after Mercedes one-two at Australian GP
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
