Grand Prix of China: First Ferrari success: Hamilton races in pole position

Record world champion Lewis Hamilton has surprisingly secured the first starting place for the Formula 1 sprint race in China in Ferrari. In the qualification in Shanghai, the 40-year-old Brit prevailed with the fastest round and achieved the first success after the change of Mercedes. Hamilton landed 0.018 seconds ahead of world champion Max Verstappen, who made it into the first series of stars in the Red Bull after initial problems. Third was Oscar Piatri in the McLaren.

“I didn’t expect this result, but of course I am very proud and happy,” said Hamilton, adding: “I am a little shocked that we have the pole position here. The team did a great job.” This increase was not to be expected, as it was not possible in Australia at the start last weekend. “The last race was catastrophic for us,” said Hamilton, who had only become tenth in Melbourne.

Favorite Norris fails on a quick round

The favorite Lando Norris had won at the start, but in which Sprint qualifiers made the Briton a mistake and did not end his fastest round. The World Cup leader from Great Britain only took sixth place and is faced with a difficult task in the first short race of the year over 100 kilometers on Saturday (4:00 a.m./Sky and RTL).

Norris has to defend his narrow World Cup lead of seven points ahead of Verstappen. The main race will take place on Sunday (8:00 a.m./RTL and Sky). Verstappen won the Grand Prix in front of Norris last year.

Nico Hülkenberg had to be satisfied with 19th place in the Sprint with 19th place after the Rhinelander had previously become surprisingly sixth in the only training session.