Exciting Formula One Action Returns to Shanghai with Sprint Qualifying

SHANGHAI, China — The 2025 Formula One season continues this weekend with the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, marking round two of the season. The action kicks off on March 21 and will feature the first sprint race of the year, following a thrilling season opener in Australia.

In a surprising twist, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari secured pole position in a dramatic qualifying session, starting alongside Max Verstappen from Red Bull. This unexpected result leaves McLaren‘s Lando Norris, who was fastest in the practice session, outside the front row.

“Their car is definitely capable of winning every race… I think the gap they have on everybody this year is bigger than Red Bull has ever had,” stated Mercedes driver George Russell, expressing his concern about McLaren’s potential dominance after the Australian Grand Prix.

This weekend is particularly poignant as the motorsport community mourns the loss of former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who passed away at age 76 after battling cancer. Tributes have poured in, with many remembering his significant influence on the sport both as a team owner and a television pundit.

The F1 Academy also returns, featuring its opening weekend at the Shanghai circuit. Doriane Pin, racing for PREMA Racing, topped the practice session with a time of 2:04.198, despite an incident that caused a red flag late in the session.

Qualifying for the sprint will take place at 2:05 a.m. ET on March 21, followed by the sprint itself on March 22 at 11:00 a.m. local time. The main race will occur on March 23 at 3:00 p.m. local time, with teams and drivers preparing for challenging conditions on a newly resurfaced track.

The Chinese Grand Prix returned to the calendar in April 2024 after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year’s race saw Lando Norris take pole position, culminating in a memorable win that showcased the competitive spirit of the F1 grid.

As the teams prepare for the challenges ahead, here are the key start times for the weekend: Friday features the first practice from 11:30 a.m. followed by sprint qualifying at 3:30 p.m. Saturday’s sprint race takes place at 11:00 a.m. with main qualifying at 3:00 p.m.

Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports in the UK and ESPN in the US, amidst a backdrop of potentially sunny weather conditions throughout the weekend, with a high of 26 degrees Celsius expected for the main race.

This weekend promises excitement both on and off the track as F1 enthusiasts look forward to witnessing whether McLaren can consolidate its early season form or if other teams, like Ferrari and Mercedes, can close the gap.