We were treated to our second qualifying session of the weekend on Saturday as the cars took to the track to decide the grid.
Lewis Hamilton had been a standout performer in the Sprint Race getting a much needed podium place.
However, a mistake at the Turn 14 hairpin cost Hamilton as he broke a little too late.
That was that for the 7-time world champion. He’ll line up 18th tomorrow.
A driver to join him was Guanyu Zhou. He too had starred in the sprint but also got caught up at Turn 14.
Sergio Perez, in the Red Bull, was lucky to scrape through into Q2.
Reflecting on the drama former driver, Nico Rosberg felt that was “a painful moment” for Lewis because the “weekend is gone.”
Max Verstappen continued his strong form by edging out Charles Leclerc in Q1.
Lando Norris was second ahead of Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri, which suggested Ferrari and McLaren were the cars most likely to challenge Verstappen for pole.
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Q2
Verstappen. stars the second session strongly putting in a scintillating lap time in Q2.
However the action not track was soon abruptly curtailed.
Carlos Sainz spun at the final corner and hits the barrier on the inside.
Somehow, Carlos Sainz got his Ferrari moving again. The Spaniard his way back to the pits with a missing front wing.
The red flag that was brought out as a result gave the Ferrari team hope they would get Sainz back on track in Q2.
.
Once the season got back underway there was six minutes to save the session with a mix of teams in the bottom places.
Ultimately little more than a tenth separated George Russell in sixth and Valtteri Bottas in P10.
Not the Sauber the Shanghai crowd would have wanted in Q3. Its been an impressive weekend for the team though.
They’ll hope to pick up points on Sunday.
Q3
Verstappen held it together to claim Red Bulls 100th pole position in Formula 1.
Congratulations to the team as they continue to set new boundaries in the sport.
“Very lovely that. The car was definitely very quick in qualy, so well done.” the Dutchman clearly pleased with his lap.
Checo Perez continued his resurgence taking second.
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Whilst Alonso took a brilliant third to give himself a chance at points after the disappointment of the Sprint.
The McLaren’s then Ferrari’s line up two by two to set up an interesting battle at the front.
All four teams have looked strong at different parts of the weekend.