Aussie Oscar Piastri storms to first career pole as Liam Lawson fails again

Aussie youngster Oscar Piastri chalked up a huge career first, while Red Bull’s Liam Lawson had another spectacular failure.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri stormed to his first-ever pole position on Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, after Lewis Hamilton won the sprint race.

The second row for Sunday’s main race will be filled by Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris and world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.

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It was another dismal day for Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, however, with the Kiwi finishing last and starting from 20th position on Sunday.

Hamilton will start in fifth after taking his maiden victory for Ferrari in the morning sprint in Shanghai.

Alongside him on the third row will be teammate Charles Leclerc with Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon completing the top 10.

“I found a lot of pace in Q3,” said Australian Piastri.

McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri (right) shakes hands with George Russell after taking pole. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)

“The laps were a little bit scruffy but I’m just pumped to be on pole.”

Piastri, who was second in the sprint, said it would be important to get away in front at the start of Sunday’s 56-lap race where preserving tyres could be a key factor.

“I want to make sure I keep the clean air. I was pretty happy after the sprint,” he said.

“I feel like we learned a lot and I’m looking forward to putting that into use tomorrow.”

Russell was ecstatic to get on the front row alongside Piastri.

“Feels incredible to be honest,” said the Englishman.

“Did something totally different on that last lap and it all came together.”

Piastri (centre) looks on after taking pole, with Russell (left) second and Lando Norris (right) third. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)

Norris finally found some pace after coming eighth in the sprint.

“I’m always disappointed if I’m not on pole but Oscar deserves it today,” said Norris, who won the season-opener in Melbourne last week.

Hamilton earlier savoured a “really special” first victory in Ferrari red after winning the sprint race in dominant fashion.

The seven-time world champion controlled the race from pole position to add a sprint victory to his record six grands prix triumphs in Shanghai.

He took the chequered flag 6.889 seconds ahead of Piastri with Verstappen third.

Hamilton emerged from his car after the finish line to a crescendo of cheers from the massed fans, who unfurled huge banners displaying his number 44.

“That is a really, really special weekend so far,” the 40-year-old Englishman told reporters.

“China and Shanghai has always been really good to me since my first race here back in 2007. It’s a track that I really do love driving on.”

It was another brutal session for Liam Lawson. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

In Grand Prix qualifying, rookie Lawson continued his terrible start to life at Red Bull after crashing in Melbourne and coming last in sprint qualifying.

The New Zealander failed to hook up his qualifying tyres and trailed in 20th on the time sheets and will start from the back of the grid for a second successive time.

“It’s just really tough, honestly,” said a disappointed Lawson. “I just need to get on top of it.”

Esteban Ocon was 11th and joined by Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and 15th fastest Carlos Sainz in not making the top 10 shootout from Q2.

Also eliminated from Q1 were Pierre Gasly and Lawson’s fellow rookies Oliver Bearman, Aussie Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Originally published as Aussie Oscar Piastri storms to first career pole as Liam Lawson fails again