Max Verstappen Secures Red Bull’s Historic 100th Formula One Pole Position
Max Verstappen continued his dominant form by securing Red Bull’s historic 100th Formula One pole position during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, following his impressive performance in the Saturday sprint race.
Verstappen’s pole position marked his fifth pole in five races this season and his sixth consecutive pole, including last year’s Abu Dhabi finale. His teammate, Sergio Perez, also delivered an outstanding performance, securing second place on the grid, resulting in a front-row lockout for Red Bull.
The achievement holds special significance for Red Bull, as it comes 15 years after the team’s first win at the Shanghai International Circuit with Sebastian Vettel behind the wheel.
Verstappen’s pole position streak this season makes him the first driver since Mika Hakkinen in 1999 to start a season with five successive poles, highlighting his dominance on the track.
“I think after the sprint race it gave us a few more ideas for the car and I think the car worked even better in qualifying now…The car was really nice to drive,” said the 26-year-old.
Verstappen’s pole time of one minute 33.660 seconds was 0.322 quicker than Perez’s best.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Lando Norris shared the second row but Mercedes seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, second in the sprint, went out in the first phase and will start 18th.
Norris had been on pole for the earlier sprint but went wide at the start and ended up only sixth. Sunday’s race gives him another chance for solid points.
Australian teammate Oscar Piastri will line up fifth on the grid with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz sixth and seventh.
Sainz brought out the red flags 6.44 seconds from the end of the second phase of qualifying when he went onto the gravel, spun, and crashed at the final turn.
The Spaniard managed to keep the engine running and returned to the pits, where Ferrari were able to change the tires and front wing and send him back out to set the third fastest lap and qualify for the top 10 shootout.
Hamilton’s teammate George Russell qualified eighth with Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg ninth and Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas completing the top 10.
Sunday’s race will be the first in China since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The stage is set for an exciting race as Verstappen looks to extend his lead in the championship standings.