F1 Chinese Grand Prix: George Russell, Mercedes Dominate Again In Sprint Race Qualifying

George Russell praised his Mercedes as a “joy to drive” as he took pole for the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday to continue his team’s dominant start to the new era of Formula 1. Russell is the driver to beat in Shanghai after his dominant win in Australia last week. With teammate Kimi Antonelli qualifying second, 0.289 of a second down, and no other team close, Mercedes is on target for another 1-2 finish in Saturday’s sprint, which is followed by qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Lando Norris was .621 adrift, a vast gap in F1 terms, in third for McLaren. Only Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in fourth and Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri in fifth got within a second of Russell’s time. Antonelli held on to second despite an investigation for impeding Norris during qualifying. He wasn’t penalized because Norris said he wasn’t trying to set a “meaningful lap time,” so didn’t lose out.

Updated on: 13 March 2026 4:50 pm

Published at: 13 March 2026 4:50 pm

F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying photos-George Russell

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain celebrates his pole position for the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong

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F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying photos-Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian

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Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian

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F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying photos-Lando Norris

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian

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F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying photos-Max Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the first practice session ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong

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Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain gets ready for the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong

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F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying photos-Liam Lawson

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand steers his car during the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian

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F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying photos-Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian

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F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying photos-Oscar Piastri

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia waits after steering his car out of the garage during the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong, Pool

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands is pushed back into his garage during the sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong, Pool