Max Verstappen of Red Bull continues to dominate the Formula 1 circuit, securing pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix after a thrilling victory in the first F1 sprint of the season. The Dutch driver’s teammate, Sergio Perez, will join him on the front row for Sunday’s race, with Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris close behind on the second row.
Verstappen’s performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular, with 22 wins in the last 26 races and three victories in the first four races of the season. His pole position in China marks the 100th for Red Bull as a team, as he looks to add to his impressive tally of 58 career wins.
Despite challenging weather conditions during qualifying, Verstappen showcased his skill and speed on the track, maintaining his lead in the F1 season standings with 85 points. His closest competitors, Perez and Charles Leclerc, trail behind by 15 and 21 points respectively.
Meanwhile, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes continues to struggle, with no wins in the last 49 races. Hamilton will start 18th on the grid after finishing second in the sprint race, highlighting the fierce competition in this season’s championship.
The return of the Chinese Grand Prix after a five-year hiatus has brought excitement and uncertainty to the circuit, with changes to the racing surface and unexpected challenges like grass fires and methane gas leaks adding to the drama. Shanghai-born driver Zhou Guanyu will look to make an impact from 16th on the grid for Sauber, representing his home country on the global stage of F1.