RACING: F1 leader Russell puts Mercedes on pole for China sprint race

Formula One leader George Russell secured his first career sprint pole for Mercedes in Shanghai, with teammate Kimi Antonelli completing a provisional front-row lockout. McLaren's Lando Norris sits third, potentially moving up amid Antonelli's investigation for impeding Lewis Hamilton.

REUTERS

March 13, 2026

McLaren's Lando Norris races during sprint qualifying at the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China, March 13, 2026.

Maxim Shemetov / Reuters

SHANGHAI – Formula One championship leader George Russell secured pole position for the first sprint race of the season in China on Friday, giving Mercedes a provisional front row lockout alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Russell led every phase of the session at the Shanghai International Circuit, claiming his first career sprint pole with a time of 1 minute, 31.520 seconds. Antonelli was just 0.289 seconds slower.

McLaren’s Lando Norris posted the third-fastest time but could move up to the front row as Antonelli is under investigation for allegedly impeding the reigning world champion during the second phase.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who started on pole for last year’s 100km race in China, finished fourth fastest, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

-Writing by Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters