Lewis Hamilton beat Max Verstappen to secure Sprint pole at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday. Verstappen came within two-hundredths of matching the new Ferrari driver, but had to settle for second.
It had looked like a battle for ‘best of the rest’ behind the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. But Norris made a mistake in SQ3, running wide at the hairpin, and could only manage sixth on the grid.
Piastri’s lap was cleaner but Hamilton went just under a tenth faster with a sublime effort. While this is only a Sprint rather than a main Grand Prix, it’s his first pole of any description since Hungary 2023.
Hamilton will hope he has many Grand Prix poles, victories and potentially even a championship to look back on at Ferrari. But this was a significant milestone in and of itself.
Damon Hill thrilled after Lewis Hamilton takes first Ferrari pole at Chinese Grand Prix
Writing on X immediately after Sprint qualifying, 1996 world champion Damon Hill predicted an ‘epic’ weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix. Without the drama-inducing rain of Melbourne, there were fears McLaren could dominate.
Verstappen couldn’t believe Norris’ comments about the MCL39 in the press conference, where he suggested it didn’t suit his driving style. The Briton has been trying to play down his team’s advantage, and perhaps he was right to do so.
McLaren may well reassert themselves on Saturday. But on the evidence of this session, Ferrari and Red Bull could present an unexpectedly strong challenge.
“This is going to be an epic weekend,” Hill wrote before sharing his new nickname for the polesitter. “Forza Ferramilton! And Max on the front row. Bloody hell!! Amazing.”
Over on his Instagram story, the former Williams driver added: “A new chapter has begun. Awesome.”
Lewis Hamilton just broke Sebastian Vettel record in second Ferrari race
Hamilton embarrassed his Ferrari critics with one team radio exchange on Friday. Amidst the fallout from the team’s poor showing in Australia, many have raised concerns over his messages.
There was a clear clash in communication styles with his new engineer. But Hamilton joked with Riccardo Adami and saluted the team’s ‘mega’ job, a sign that they’re already developing a rapport.
Adami has previously worked with another F1 legend in Sebastian Vettel, who took pole in China in 2018. Daniel Ricciardo went on to win a memorable race.
Hamilton eclipsed Vettel’s lap record on Friday as he dipped below the 1:31 barrier to a 1:30.8. That benchmark may be beaten again before the weekend is out, but he’ll hope to be the man to do it.
