Chinese GP qualifying: Oscar Piastri on pole, George Russell on front row

Oscar Piastri took pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix by 0.082 seconds from George Russell’s Mercedes in a tight qualifying session at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Russell’s lap, which appeared to come from nowhere, split the two McLarens, with Lando Norris forced to settle for third place after he aborted his final lap in Q3.

Max Verstappen secured fourth place on the grid ahead of Saturday’s sprint race winner Lewis Hamilton, who was fifth fastest ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.