Hamilton Secures Sprint Pole in Shanghai, Edges Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton surprises with Ferrari's first pole position of the season, while championship leader Lando Norris falters to start sixth.

Lewis Hamilton clinched pole position for the Shanghai sprint race, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by 0.018 seconds.
Hamilton's performance marks a significant turnaround after a disappointing 10th-place finish in the previous race in Australia.
Lando Norris, leading the championship by seven points, admitted to a driving error in qualifying, placing him in sixth for the sprint race.
The newly resurfaced Shanghai track has caused tire overheating issues, adding complexity for drivers throughout the weekend.
The sprint race on Saturday and the main race on Sunday will play pivotal roles in shaping the early-season championship battle.