Piastri claims first career F1 pole

McLaren's Oscar Piastri - Photo by Damian Hall

McLaren's Oscar Piastri clinched the first pole position of his Formula 1 career in a thrilling qualifying session at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, putting his McLaren on top with a blistering lap of 1:30.641. The Australian beat Mercedes’ George Russell, who lines up second, while fellow McLaren teammate Lando Norris took third.

"I think in Q3 I just found a lot of pace," Piastri said after securing pole. "Q1 and Q2 I was genuinely struggling and the car just came alive in Q3. I'm happy with what I did at the end. Even still, the laps were still a bit scrappy but I'm very pumped to be on pole, so very happy."

The result marks a major milestone for the young Australian, who had shown flashes of pace throughout the weekend but pulled everything together when it mattered most in the final session of qualifying.

The qualifying session began with drama in Q1, where five drivers were eliminated early: Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman and Pierre Gasly.

In Q2, the likes of Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Ocon were knocked out, unable to make the jump into the top ten.

That left a competitive mix in Q3, where the fight for pole intensified. In the first runs, Piastri set the benchmark — and in the final moments, despite several drivers making improvements, no one could dislodge the McLaren driver from the top spot.

Behind him, George Russell pulled out a surprise lap at the end, describing it as a result of an unusual approach.

"I was trying all sorts with my preparation with the tyres and nothing seemed to be clicking," said Russell. "I did something totally different on that last lap and it all just came alive — and that was awesome. So I am happy with P2."

Lando Norris, who had been fastest in previous sessions this weekend and remains the championship leader, had to settle for third, just 0.152s off pole.

"Disappointed that I'm not on pole, but Oscar deserves it today," Norris said. "He's done a really good job all weekend. I'm happy for him — his first pole in Formula 1, so it's always cool."

"The car was feeling a bit better today — I’m feeling a lot more comfortable with it. It’s a step in the right direction, especially from yesterday when I was struggling a lot and even this morning. A much better direction that we're going in, so not too disappointed."

After winning the Sprint race earlier in the day, Lewis Hamilton will now have to fight from fifth on the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix — not an ideal starting place, but certainly within striking distance for the seven-time world champion.

Max Verstappen will start from fourth, while Charles Leclerc secured sixth for Ferrari. Behind them, Isack Hadjar impressed with seventh for Racing Bulls, followed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Yuki Tsunoda, and Alexander Albon, who completed the top ten.

Full Starting Grid – Chinese Grand Prix 2025

1. Oscar Piastri – McLaren

2. George Russell – Mercedes

3. Lando Norris – McLaren

4. Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT

5. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari

6. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari

7. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls Honda RBPT

8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes

9. Yuki Tsunoda – Racing Bulls Honda RBPT

10. Alexander Albon – Williams Mercedes

11. Esteban Ocon – Haas

12. Nico Hülkenberg – Kick Sauber

13. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin Aramco

14. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin Aramco

15. Carlos Sainz – Williams

16. Pierre Gasly – Alpine

17. Oliver Bearman – Haas

18. Jack Doohan – Alpine

19. Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber

20. Liam Lawson – Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT

Piastri claims first career F1 pole by Damian Hall