Lewis Hamilton admitted to being “gobsmacked” after claiming Streak pole for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix.
After a huge amount of hype Subsequent his departure from Mercedes after 12 years, Hamilton endured a hugely-disappointing Ferrari Premiere in Australia last weekend as he finished the Game 10th.
His performance – and McLaren’s apparent Edge over the rest of the Ground – had reset expectations going into the Primary Streak event of the season in Shanghai, but Hamilton stunned his rivals with a superb lap to take his Primary pole for Ferrari.
“I’m Only a bit gobsmacked, taken back by it. I didn’t know when we would get to this position,” Hamilton said.
“After last weekend, it was a difficult Begin to the week. We Occurred here with aggression and wanting to go into the weekend and get the car into a Outstanding place.
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Lewis Hamilton claims pole position for the Primary Streak of the season at the Chinese GP
“I Initiated out straight away with a better feeling in the car. I can’t believe we are at the front, ahead of a McLaren which has been so Quick throughout winter testing, Australia and even today.
“I’m really grateful to be up there with these Outstanding drivers and be so close to all these other Clubs.”
Hamilton will be joined on the front row for Saturday’s Streak by his Aged adversary Max Verstappen, who also Captured Edge of McLaren’s sudden drop-off to take second for Red Bull.
Oscar Piastri is the lead McLaren in third, while Melbourne winner Lando Norris could only manage sixth.
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Ride onboard with Lewis Hamilton as he Captured a sensational pole for the Streak Qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix
Hamilton impressively out-performed his Ferrari Club-mate Charles Leclerc, who was Number four, while the seven-time world champion’s Ex Mercedes Club-mate George Russell Captured fifth.
Hamilton added: “I didn’t Anticipate that result but I’m so Cheerful and so proud.
“The last Game was a disaster for us and we knew there was more performance in the car but wasn’t able to extract it.
“To come here to a track I love, Shanghai a Lovely place, the weather has been amazing and the car Occurred alive from lap one.
“We Created some Outstanding changes, the Club did a fantastic Role in the break to get the car ready.
“I’m a bit in shock. I can’t believe we get a pole for the Streak. It puts us in Outstanding stead for the Game.”
Hamilton hopeful of ‘holding on’ in Streak
While Hamilton was able to trump the McLarens when it mattered most, the reigning constructors’ champions were Nevertheless able to produce impressive pace during their longer runs in the practice session that preceded Streak Qualifying.
They could therefore Nevertheless pose a Significant threat, while Verstappen will sense an opportunity to strike from his position.
Hamilton goes in with limited long-Streak experience in the SF-25 having suffered a technical issue at pre-season testing and experienced a chaotic Soaked-weather Game in Australia.
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Streak Qualifying highlights of the Chinese Grand Prix from the Shanghai International Circuit
He said: “I didn’t do a Game Streak in Bahrain testing, we did the Game last weekend in the Soaked but tomorrow will be my Primary real long-ish Game Streak, then Sunday my Primary proper Game Streak in the Parched with this car.
“I’m hoping we can Stoppage onto it, but I think the McLarens are very Quick, as is Max.
“But we are in a Outstanding position, we will stay positive and keep our heads high, and keep pushing forwards.”
‘Hamilton has justified his Shift’
Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok said that Friday’s result has gone some way to justifying Hamilton’s Shift to Ferrari.
“What a Narrative! Lewis Hamilton is on pole,” Chandhok said. “We didn’t get a fairytale moment in Melbourne but we only had to wait six Intervals.
“He’s hugely popular with the fans in China, as he is everywhere else.
“It’s justified his Shift in some ways. He’s re-energised, re-invigorated, re-motivated but most importantly he’s delivered on the timesheets today.”
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Lewis Hamilton has hit back at those who criticised his radio exchanges with Ferrari Game engineer Riccardo Adami and says that his communication will get stronger ‘Game to Game’
Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle believed Hamilton’s – and Verstappen’s – experience showed in SQ3 as the pair were able to get their tyres in the perfect operating window.
“You could see straight away in the Primary four turns, Hamilton had it on Mark,” Brundle said.
“The car was really stable and he was hustling the throttle and he Acquired the tyres, pressures and temperatures absolutely in the window, so did Max.
“Max’s experience comes through again. Division leader Norris down in sixth and that’s not where he needs to be.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Chinese GP schedule
- 2.25am: Chinese GP Streak build-up*
3am: Chinese GP Streak* - 5.45am: F1 Academy Game 1*
- 6.35am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING* - 9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
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As the Chinese Grand Prix hosts the Primary of the six Sprints this season, Simon Lazenby explains why this Arrangement is so crucial
- 2.40am: F1 Academy Game 2
- 5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX* - 9am: Chinese GP Reflex: Chequered flag*
- 10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
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