George Russell earns 1st career sprint pole in Shanghai

Field Level Media|published: Fri 13th March, 16:58 2026

Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) reacts following his third place finish the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

After winning the season-opening Australian Grand Prix last week in Melbourne, Mercedes driver George Russell qualified for the pole of Saturday's Chinese Grand Prix sprint race in Shanghai.

Russell, atop the F1 driver standings with 25 points, finished the final qualifying lap in 1:31.520, edging teammate Kimi Antonelli, who finished second in sprint qualifying at 1:31.809.

It's the first career sprint pole for Russell, 28, who has six career F1 wins and finished fourth in the driver standings last season.

Lando Norris qualified in third place for McLaren after opening his 2025 title defense with a fifth-place finish in the Australian Grand Prix. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, qualified in fifth, flanked by Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton (fourth) and Charles Leclerc (sixth).

The sprint race kicks off Saturday's day of competition before qualifying for the Grand Prix is held later in the day ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix race.

Points for this season's six sprint races are awarded to the top eight finishers, from eight points down to one.

--Field Level Media

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