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The three-time world champion will start from fourth on the grid at the Shanghai International Circuit. Oscar Piastri claimed his maiden pole position for McLaren, followed by George Russell’s Mercedes and Lando Norris in the second McLaren. Verstappen’s struggles during qualifying saw him unable to improve significantly, clocking a lap time of 1m 30.817s — only 0.05s quicker than his Sprint Qualifying performance.
“I felt good. I think the lap was nice but unfortunately, it was not quick enough,” Verstappen reflected after the session.
Sprint Struggles Highlight Red Bull’s Weaknesses
Earlier in the day, Verstappen managed to finish third in the Sprint race but encountered severe tyre degradation in the latter stages, highlighting Red Bull’s ongoing difficulties in maintaining pace over long stints. In response, the team made adjustments to the RB21 to counter these issues.
“Yeah, we made some changes and I think they were potentially positive for tomorrow,” Verstappen said. “But if it is going to be enough to actually put up a fight to the cars ahead, I think it will be quite tricky.”
Red Bull’s Strategy Hindered by Lawson’s Poor Qualifying
Unlike McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari — all of whom have two cars within the top eight — Red Bull’s strategic options are limited. Liam Lawson, standing in for Sergio Pérez, struggled during qualifying and ended up as the slowest driver on the grid.
Lawson struggled to find balance and grip with the RB21, making it difficult to keep the car and Pirelli tyres within the optimal performance window.
Piastri Celebrates First F1 Pole While Rivals Reflect
While Verstappen grapples with concerns ahead of the main race, Oscar Piastri expressed his excitement after claiming his first F1 pole position.
“I'm pumped to take my first pole in Shanghai after genuinely struggling in practice,” Piastri remarked. Meanwhile, Lando Norris admitted that his mistakes during the final lap cost him a better starting position.
Hamilton Hits Back at Critics Following Sprint Victory
Lewis Hamilton, who claimed his first victory in a Ferrari during the Sprint race, addressed his critics after the impressive performance. The seven-time champion dismissed detractors, emphasizing that his move to Ferrari was motivated by his desire to challenge himself and pursue success with a new team.
Verstappen Faces Uphill Battle
With Verstappen starting behind both McLarens and Russell’s Mercedes, Red Bull’s chances of securing a victory in China seem slim. Without a second car in the mix to assist with strategy, Verstappen’s path to victory is far from straightforward.
“Just no real consistent grip out there and that makes it difficult to just get your references set,” Verstappen acknowledged.
As the lights go out for the Chinese Grand Prix, Verstappen’s ability to overcome these challenges and fight for the podium will be put to the ultimate test.
