Max Verstappen of Red Bull continues his dominance in Formula 1, securing pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix after winning the first F1 sprint of the season. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, will start alongside him on the front row, with Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris on the second row.
Verstappen’s performance has been nothing short of exceptional, winning 22 of the last 26 GPs and three of the first four races this season. Despite a brake failure in Melbourne, he remains unstoppable, showcasing his skills as the best driver in the fastest car on the grid.
The Dutchman expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, “If the car is even only half as good as what it was in the sprint then I think we’ll be all right.” Verstappen has dominated qualifying this season, winning every pole position, and will be aiming for his 58th victory on Sunday.
With 85 points, Verstappen leads the F1 season standings, followed by Perez and Charles Leclerc. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who has not won a race in 49 attempts, will start 18th on the grid after finishing second in the sprint.
The Shanghai circuit has presented challenges for teams, with a new racing surface causing uncertainty. The track, absent from the calendar for five years due to the pandemic, has added intrigue with small grass fires and suspected methane gas leaks during practice sessions.
As the excitement builds for the Chinese Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he looks to extend his lead in the championship standings and continue his impressive winning streak.