In the lead-up to the Chinese Grand Prix, the atmosphere buzzed with competition as some of Formula 1's top drivers battled it out during the qualifying session held on March 22, 2025. The session culminated in a thrilling finish, showcasing outstanding performances and intense rivalries.
Lando Norris surprised many by securing P3 for the race, despite having a rocky qualifying session. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, took pole position, a significant achievement and a first in his Formula 1 career. Norris expressed his thoughts candidly, stating, “Always disappointed if I’m not on pole, but Oscar deserves it today. He’s done a very good job all weekend. Happy for him and his first pole in F1.”
Norris, while reflecting on his qualifications, noted he had “Just a couple of mistakes again” during the session. With hopes of improving, he added, “A much better direction we are going in, especially yesterday when I struggled a lot and even this morning.” Despite finishing 8th in the earlier sprint race, where he suffered a lock-up, Norris maintains optimism for the race ahead.
Max Verstappen's qualifying session also demanded attention, as the Dutchman managed to secure fourth place despite ongoing struggles with his RB21. After the session, Verstappen remarked, “Tricky,” citing that he still faced grip issues with his car, which hampers consistency in his laps. Additionally, he shared his concerns about the unpredictability of his car's performance, conveying, “Just a very weird grip and very difficult to say just to be consistent with it.” Revealing his expectations for the race, he noted, “I don’t think we can challenge them,” emphasizing that unless significant changes occur, winning seems unlikely.
Verstappen, a defending world champion, admitted that he feels comfortable driving the car but struggles to achieve the necessary pace. “I actually feel good… I’m nailing the laps, I’m doing a good job,” he explained. In an honest assessment, he mentioned, “When the base pace is lacking, there’s not much that you can do,” demonstrating the pressure he faces as he thrived in a competitive environment where the margins for error are minuscule.
The qualifying session saw drama as well, with an incident involving Verstappen and rookie Isack Hadjar, who was called to the FIA stewards for an unsafe release that impeded the Red Bull driver. The situation heightened tensions on the track and added an extra layer of complexity to the race weekend. Under scrutiny for potentially obstructing Lance Stroll, Oliver Bearman also had his moment with the stewards, further showcasing the high stakes of qualifying.
The day was particularly tough for Liam Lawson, who finished last in both the sprint and qualifying. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner commented on Lawson’s performance, stating, “Well, it’s been a tough day in the office for him today. So we’ll have a good look at it and go through it.” Horner’s reassurance hints at the team’s commitment to support the rookie driver as he navigates through a challenging start to his Formula 1 career.
Lewis Hamilton's day started on a high note, soaring to pole position and securing a win in the sprint race, but the promising start took a hit during qualifying. He ultimately finished fifth, after which he expressed concern about his Ferrari’s balance. Hamilton stated, “We started really optimistic, but we made a couple of changes, and it really put the car on a knife edge.” He also mentioned how the unpredictability of his car’s balance significantly affected his confidence at high speeds, noting, “When it’s unpredictable, you have no hope.”
As the teams prepare for the race on Sunday, the focus will be on tire management and strategy adherence, which could be decisive factors in determining who will climb the podium. Horner highlighted this, stating, “We saw in the sprint race earlier, different graining, different cars working in different ways.”
The stage is set for an enthralling Chinese Grand Prix, with a mix of emotions ranging from team support for young drivers like Lawson to the fierce competition seen between seasoned veterans like Hamilton and Verstappen. As the drivers prepare to face the challenges ahead, the anticipation among fans builds for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race.
