Verstappen takes pole in Chinese GP qualifying, Hamilton suffers shock Q1 exit
Red Bull's defending world champion, Max Verstappen, has clinched the top spot for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, setting a blistering lap time of 1:33.660s.
The Dutchman's teammate, Sergio Perez, will line up alongside him on the front row, having finished just three-tenths adrift.
Fernando Alonso continued his impressive form, securing third place for Aston Martin.
In a strong showing for McLaren, Lando Norris bounced back from a disappointing Sprint result to claim fourth, with rookie teammate Oscar Piastri close behind in fifth.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounded out the third row in sixth position.
Despite a spin into the barriers during Q2, Carlos Sainz managed to recover and qualify seventh, just behind his Ferrari teammate. George Russell, the sole Mercedes representative in Q3, could only manage eighth place.
Nico Hulkenberg impressed for Haas, securing ninth, while Sauber's Valtteri Bottas completed the top 10 shootout.
In a shocking turn of events, Lewis Hamilton, who had earlier claimed second place in the Sprint race, made an uncharacteristic error at the Turn 14 hairpin.
As a result, the seven-time world champion will start the main race from a disappointing 18th position on the grid.
Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying Results:
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