Max to start Chinese Grand Prix from P4: 'Hard to be consistent'

Published on 22 March 2025 by Florence Cobben

After Max Verstappen ended today’s sprint race in third, he qualified for tomorrow’s race in fourth. On the 5.451-meter-long Shanghai International Circuit, Oscar Piastri drove his McLaren into pole position, ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes, and Lando Norris’ McLaren in P3. Behind Max on P4, Ferrari-driver Lewis Hamilton completes the top five. Max’s Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate, Liam Lawson, finished qualifying in last.

“It was difficult”, Max tells the Dutch media after qualifying. “It’s the same problem we had yesterday. We didn’t have the grip we wanted, and the car easily loses lap time at certain points in the corners.”

Max elaborates: “The problem kept appearing in each run at different points, which makes it difficult. It’s hard to be consistent. It’s hard to put a lap together because every time you’re losing grip in different and new places.”

Anticipating the race on Sunday, the four-time world champion predicts: “It won’t be anything special. I don’t think we can challenge the competition; I don't think we'll be looking ahead.”

At the start of Q1 the weather is hot and beautiful in Shanghai. The teams have optimised their set ups after the sprint race earlier in the day, keeping a particular eye on tyre degradation – a real issue on the asphalt circuit.

Halfway through Q1 the top three is as follows: Max, Piastri and Hamilton, with Norris, Alex Albon, Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson and Charles Leclerc in the danger zone. Norris had his first time deleted because he exceeded the track limits.

As the flag falls on Q1, Norris has gone fastest, ahead of Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda, while Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman and Pierre Gasly sign off for the day.  

At the start of Q2 the pitlane is busy, but Max slots in last in the traffic. After the first run both McLarens are at the top, with Max on P3. At the back of the field are both Aston Martins, Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon and Isack Hadjar.

In the closing stages of Q2 Max climbs his way to P2 behind Norris and both Racing Bulls prove their mettle with drives good for P4 and P5. Both Ferraris struggle and find themselves in P7 and P8. Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and Sainz are the losers of Q2, and bow out of the session.

At the start of Q3, the remaining grid waits at the end of the pitlane, with Max out in front this time. After first runs, Piastri is on P1 ahead of Norris and Max – the McLarens look unbeatable.

At the start of the all-important final run in Q3, Max has to perform an evasive action in the pitlane to avoid an unsafe release by Hadjar. Max’s first sector goes purple, but as his lap unfolds Max sets two further yellow sectors, dashing hopes for pole position. Norris aborts his lap while Piastri claims P1. Russell drives a quick lap and nestles his Mercedes in between the McLarens on P2, demoting Max to P4.

Contest GP China: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap!

Results qualifying China: