F1 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying: Oscar Piastri secures his first-ever pole position

In a groundbreaking performance during the 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, Australian driver Oscar Piastri claimed his first-ever pole position, marking his speed to the top of the motorsport hierarchy. His pole position at Shanghai International Circuit today was another highlight in his young career. The 24-year-old McLaren driver drove brilliantly to secure the top spot in qualifying.
Oscar Piastri was born on April 6, 2001, in Melbourne, Australia. He started his motorsport career in karts before switching over to single-seater racing in the year 2016. He has risen quickly through the ranks, with championship wins in the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup, 2020 FIA Formula 3, and 2021 FIA Formula 2. These achievements opened the door for his entry into Formula 1 with McLaren in 2023, where he continued to show incredible promise.

Oscar Piastri's performance in Shanghai was nothing short of stellar. He ended up fastest in all qualifying sessions, but that lap was a stayer that gave him the top position. Lando Norris, his teammate, lined up third on the grid, further underlining McLaren's competitive showing this season. Ahead of them all, second came Mercedes' George Russell, with all valiantity of the fight at the top.

The top ten positions following the qualifying session are as follows:









George Russell: Came in 2nd place, the Mercedes driver delivered a strong performance that put his significantly faster car back on the podium, paving the way for a day filled with excitement.

Lando Norris: Qualifying third was a great validation for McLaren this year though Norris made a couple of small mistakes on his final lap.
Charles Leclerc: The enigmatic Monegasque driver finished fifth, suggesting that Ferrari is still searching for the right balance between speed and reliability.
Lewis Hamilton: Coming off a weekend victory in the sprint race—his first for Ferrari—Hamilton qualified fifth, symbolizing the team’s steady regime.
The stage is well set for an exciting round as the teams get into the main race. Not only does this create a new chap in Oscar Piastri's story, but it might start to change the script of the championship entering the closing stage of the season. Fans across the globe will be looking to see if the young Australian has kept his pole position and secured his first Grand Prix win or whether vanquished rivals Russell, Norris or Verstappen step into the spotlight.
So grab some popcorn and settle in for what is sure to be a wild ride at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
Also Read: Chinese Grand Prix 2025 qualifying today: Start time, where to watch, what to expect, and more