8.3 C
Manchester
Friday, April 4, 2025
Other SportsChinese Grand Prix 2024: Verstappen on pole as Hamilton slumps to 18th...

Chinese Grand Prix 2024: Verstappen on pole as Hamilton slumps to 18th with Q1 exit

Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix in pole position after leading Sergio Perez in a Red-Bull one-two in qualifying, while Lewis Hamilton must fight from 18th on the grid after crashing out in Q1.

Verstappen finished 0.322 seconds ahead of Perez as Red Bull clinched their 100th pole position, just hours after the Dutchman beat Hamilton to win the sprint race earlier on Saturday.

Perez was just 0.166 seconds clear of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who will start in third, followed by McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Chinese Grand Prix: ‘Huge step’ for Hamilton but Verstappen takes sprint honours
Man City v Chelsea: No point to prove for Palmer in FA Cup semi-final, says Pochettino
IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bengaluru – preview, free bets, offers

Speaking after the final qualifying session, Verstappen told Sky Sports: “After the sprint, it gave us a few more ideas for the car and I think the car worked even better in qualifying.

“We’re definitely very happy with how the whole of qualifying went. The car was really nice to drive and also in Q3, that final lap felt pretty decent.

“I’m also very happy to drive here in the dry. The conditions were pretty good, so it was a lot of fun.”

Hamilton hailed his second-placed finish in the sprint race as his best showing “in a long time”, but he was swiftly brought back to earth as he dropped out in Q1.

The seven-time world champion told Sky Sports his Mercedes had undergone “massive” set-up changes after the sprint race, alterations he regretted.

“I’ll give it my best shot – 18th is pretty bad,” Hamilton said. “When I was making the set-up changes, I was like, ‘it can’t get any worse, surely’, and it did!”

It was also a difficult day for Hamilton’s future team Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finishing in sixth and seventh respectively.

Sainz crashed at the final corner in Q2, but he was able to get his damaged car back to the pits under a red flag for repairs which salvaged his session.

The Scuderia team-mates had clashed in the sprint race earlier on Saturday, when Sainz pushed Leclerc off the track in a failed attempt to defend fourth place.

Sainz apologised in the aftermath of the incident, saying: “I was doing everything I could to defend and I had a bit of a moment with Charles, so I apologise if I did something over the limit. I was doing everything to keep it under control.”

Chinese Grand Prix: Top 10 qualifiers

  1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:33.660
  2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +0.322sec
  3. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.488
  4. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.505
  5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.613
  6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.629
  7. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.637
  8. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.773
  9. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) +0.944
  10. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) +1.005
Harry Carr
Harry Carr
Harry is a freelance sports journalist with experience of working for the Racing Post, Stats Perform, Opta Analyst and more, covering major events across all sports but holding a particular love for the beautiful game.
Latest

SYSPRO Research Reveals Strategic ERP Benefits for Mid-Sized Manufacturers and Distributors

SYSPRO has unveiled new insights designed to help executives at mid-sized businesses better understand the advantages of integrating an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. For...

Enviro Waste Management Reveals New Brand Identity with Commercial-Only Focus

Enviro Waste Management has announced a comprehensive rebrand to solidify its position as a dedicated provider of commercial waste services. Having previously offered solutions...

Manchester-Based Tooltap Introduces Community Equipment Rental Platform

A new digital service in Manchester is offering residents affordable access to tools and specialist equipment, eliminating the need for ownership. Tooltap Manchester, a locally...

Manchester launches vision for new national hub for hydrogen

Manchester is placing itself in prime position to become the home of a new national facility that will be central to the UK’s ambition...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

Investigators appeal following road traffic collision in Wigan

Police are appealing for witnesses following a road collision in Leigh, Wigan. At around 3pm on Monday, officers were called to the junction of Kirkhall...

Daredevil Malcolm Guest forsakes wheelchair for charity zip wire challenge

Malcolm Guest is taking to the skies for a zip wire challenge in aid of the MS Therapy Centre. On April 15, the 64-year-old from...

SYSPRO Research Reveals Strategic ERP Benefits for Mid-Sized Manufacturers and Distributors

SYSPRO has unveiled new insights designed to help executives at mid-sized businesses better understand the advantages of integrating an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. For...

XIMEA Introduces World-Leading 245MP Camera with Sony IMX811 BSI Sensor

Renowned for its innovation in high-performance imaging, XIMEA has added a new powerhouse to its xiX-XL line – a medium format camera equipped with...

More News

F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025: Report, result, highlights as Norris savours ‘stressful’ win

Lando Norris praised McLaren's "amazing car" after overcoming unpredictable conditions to beat reigning champion Max Verstappen and win the F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025...

India vs Australia: Preview, expected lineups, how to watch on TV and prediction for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India vs Australia: The State of Play India will be targeting a third consecutive appearance in the final when they face Australia in the first...

New Zealand vs India: Preview, expected lineups, how to watch on TV and prediction for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

New Zealand vs India: The State of Play Two teams in excellent form meet on Sunday when New Zealand and India collide in their final...