Piastri on Chinese GP pole after Hamilton takes first Ferrari win in sprint

SHANGHAI: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri stormed to his first-ever pole position on Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, after Lewis Hamilton won the sprint race.
The second row for Sunday’s main race will be filled by Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris and world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Hamilton will start in fifth after taking his maiden victory for Ferrari in the morning sprint in Shanghai.
Alongside him on the third row will be teammate Charles Leclerc with Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon completing the top 10.
“I found a lot of pace in Q3,” said the Australian Piastri.
“The laps were a little bit scruffy but I’m just pumped to be on pole.”
Piastri, who was second in the sprint, said it would be important to get away in front at the start of Sunday’s 56-lap race where preserving tires could be a key factor.
“I want to make sure I keep the clean air.

I was pretty happy after the sprint,” he said.
“I feel like we learned a lot and I’m looking forward to putting that into use tomorrow.”
Russell was ecstatic to get on the front row alongside Piastri.
“Feels incredible to be honest,” said the Englishman.
“Did something totally different on that last lap and it all came together.”
Norris finally found some pace after coming eighth in the sprint.
“I’m always disappointed if I’m not on pole but Oscar deserves it today,” said Norris, who won the season-opener in Melbourne last week.
Hamilton earlier savoured a “really special” first victory in Ferrari red after winning the sprint race in dominant fashion.
The seven-time world champion controlled the race from pole position to add a sprint victory to his record six grands prix triumphs in Shanghai.
He took the