Oscar Piastri takes his maiden Grand Prix pole in China, overcoming early struggles and errors to deliver a stunning Q3 performance.
Piastri made headlines in Shanghai by securing his first-ever Formula 1 pole position—an achievement he admits came despite a less-than-perfect lap.
The McLaren driver, who had previously taken a Sprint pole but never one in a full Grand Prix qualifying, found impressive speed in Q3 after struggling earlier in the session.
“I found a lot of pace in Q3. Q1 and Q2 were tough, but the car really came alive when it mattered,” said Piastri. “I made a few mistakes on the lap, so it wasn’t perfect—but I’m thrilled to be on pole.”
The newly resurfaced Shanghai International Circuit added to the challenge. “It’s fun out there. The grip from the new tarmac is incredible—but when you lose it, it’s brutal. One slip and you’re gone. But I’m really happy with the result.”
Following a strong performance in the Sprint race, the Australian is optimistic heading into Sunday’s Grand Prix. Starting from the front, he hopes to manage tire wear better and control the race.
“I’ll try to keep that clean air and make the most of it,” Piastri said. “The Sprint was encouraging—one more position would’ve made it even better, but I’ll take what I’ve learned and go again tomorrow.”
Norris Admits Errors, Congratulates Teammate
Lando Norris will start third after being outpaced by George Russell. While slightly disappointed, he praised Piastri’s effort.
“Of course, I’m always a bit gutted not to be on pole, but Oscar deserved it—he’s been on it all weekend,” Norris said. “I made a few mistakes, like I have all weekend, really. But we’ve taken a step forward since yesterday, so I’m not too down about it.”
Though the MCL39 wasn’t as dominant as it’s been at other circuits, Norris still believes in the car.
“It’s fast—probably still the quickest car out there. Just a bit tricky to handle at times. Today was more about my errors than the car’s pace.”
The Brit also credited the team’s hard work overnight for their improvement: “We changed a lot on the car. Yesterday we were nowhere. Now we’re back in the fight—so let’s see what happens.”
Zak Brown: “An Exceptional Lap from Oscar”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown was all smiles after Piastri’s pole, especially after a tough Sprint session earlier in the day.
“It’s fantastic for Oscar. He’s been close a few times, starting on the front row, but this lap was exceptional,” Brown said. “Only he and George improved in the final runs. The wind had shifted and that last sector from Oscar was amazing.”
Brown admitted the weekend had been challenging overall: “We’ve known the car has pace, and both our drivers are strong. The Sprint went great for Oscar—not so much for Lando. I’m sure Lando’s a bit annoyed not to be on the front row, but he’s right there.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Brown expects a tight season ahead: “It’s only the beginning of the year, but it’s going to be close. If you miss a braking point or get a corner wrong, you’re suddenly sixth or seventh. That’s the level we’re dealing with.”
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Piastri Shines in Shanghai with First F1 Pole Despite Flaws
Piastri Shines in Shanghai with First F1 Pole Despite Flaws
