SHANGHAI (AP) — In a spectacular Formula 1 display, Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured the pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix immediately following his victory in the season’s first F1 sprint. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, will join him on the front row while Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Lando Norris of McLaren will start on the second row. With a blazing lap time of 1 minute 33.660 seconds, Verstappen outpaced Perez by 0.322 seconds.
Verstappen’s dominance in F1 is unparalleled. Having clinched 22 out of the last 26 GPs, including three out of four races this season, he has firmly established himself as the sport’s leading driver in the fastest car. His only setback was a brake failure in Melbourne, a mishap that potentially prevented him from claiming victory in all four races.
As fans anticipate the race on Sunday, Verstappen expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, “If the car is even only half as good as what it was in the sprint then I think we’ll be all right.” This season, he has snagged every pole position, with the upcoming race marking his 37th career pole. Notably, this will be the 100th pole for Red Bull as a team as Verstappen aims for his 58th career win.
Despite celebrating his 43rd birthday later this year, Alonso continues to demonstrate his skill on the track. The two-time F1 champion remains quick behind the wheel and has recently extended his contract with Aston Martin. Reflecting on his performance, Alonso stated, “These kind of laps and moments are very encouraging for the future.” He remains optimistic about achieving a top-eight finish on race day.
Qualifying was conducted under dry conditions, with similar weather predicted for race day on Sunday. Verstappen currently leads the F1 season standings with 85 points, followed by teammate Perez and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. Meanwhile, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who once dominated the sport, has not claimed a victory in the last 49 races.
Shanghai’s F1 track, situated northwest of central Shanghai, presents a challenge to teams due to its mysterious racing surface. A recent “seal coating” application has left the track with an unpredictable grip, catching drivers off guard. Additionally, incidents such as grass fires and a suspected methane gas leak have added to the intrigue of this year’s Chinese Grand Prix.
As the first F1 race in China in five years, the Grand Prix promises excitement and unpredictability. Notably, Zhou Guanyu, the sole Chinese F1 driver, will start 16th on the grid for Sauber, seeking to make an impact on his home turf.
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