The McLaren driver has secured the top position for Saturday’s Sprint Race, surrounded by two Formula 1 icons: Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. These two experienced drivers have once again demonstrated their exceptional skills, with Hamilton finishing in second place and Alonso in third after an exhilarating Qualifying session in Shanghai. The crowd, who were fully engaged and appreciative, witnessed a challenging wet SQ3 session where the best drivers emerged victorious.
After claiming pole position, Norris shared his thoughts on his chances of winning the Sprint Race: “I have no idea. We conducted some tests this morning and completed consecutive laps to gain a better understanding. It all depends on the weather.” Norris is hoping for similar weather conditions, stating, “If it remains like this, then our chances are relatively good. However, the race itself is very different from Qualifying. Our pace is strong, regardless of whether it’s wet or dry, so we are in a favorable position. The team has done an excellent job, and both the car and I feel great.”
In McLaren’s Qualifying report from China, Norris expressed his gratitude and happiness, saying, “First and foremost, I’m extremely happy and want to thank the entire team. It was a challenging session, especially considering the uncertain weather conditions before Sprint Qualifying.” He continued, “I was quite satisfied with our performance in dry conditions. We’ve shown strong pace throughout the weekend, so it was a test to adapt to the changeable conditions, push ourselves, warm up the tires, and deliver a good lap.” Looking ahead to the race, Norris acknowledged the possibility of rain and stated, “If the weather remains the same, our chances of achieving a good result are quite promising. However, the race is a different ballgame compared to qualifying, and I’m sure everyone will be catching up. Nonetheless, I believe we’re in a good position, and I’m thrilled with our performance. The team has done an exceptional job, and both the car and I feel fantastic. It’s all paying off.” Notably, Norris’ pole-winning time was an impressive 1.2 seconds faster than his closest competitor.
Despite not securing pole position for the 105th time in his impressive Formula 1 career, Hamilton was still delighted to be starting on the front row from P2. He expressed his happiness, acknowledging the challenging conditions and lack of grip for all drivers. Hamilton revealed his excitement when he saw the rain coming, as it presented a better opportunity for him and his team. He believes that if the conditions in the Sprint Race are similar, they have a chance of performing well. However, if it’s dry, he expects the Ferraris and Red Bulls to overtake them, although they may be able to hold off some other competitors.
Hamilton, a six-time winner of the Chinese Grand Prix, emphasized the importance of the wet weather in giving them a greater chance of success. He acknowledged the fast cars starting behind them but remained optimistic about their ability to keep them at bay.
Starting from P3 with an Aston Martin at his disposal, Alonso described the qualifying session as quite stressful. He explained that they were closely monitoring the weather and the possibility of rain during SQ1. They made progress in SQ1 and managed to advance to SQ2, but they were not particularly competitive in dry conditions. The rain arrived during SQ3, making each lap different and the circuit more challenging. Despite the difficulty in judging the level of grip, Alonso expressed extreme happiness with their performance. He hopes to score points in the Sprint Race and qualify well for Sunday’s race. Alonso, who previously won the Chinese GP in 2005 and 2013, remains optimistic about their chances.