As the Chinese Grand Prix approached, one of the key uncertainties was the performance of Pirelli tires during the 19-lap Sprint race. The Shanghai International Circuit, having been completely resurfaced since the 2024 race, now boasts an asphalt layer that offers significant grip but at the cost of tire durability.
For the first Sprint race of 2025, most teams leaned towards medium tires, eager to assess their behavior in preparation for Sunday’s main event. The race saw Max Verstappen closely trailing Lewis Hamilton, finding it difficult to overtake and catch some clean air.
As the race progressed, Verstappen attempted a mid-race charge but soon found himself grappling with Oscar Piastri. The two engaged in a brief yet thrilling battle, culminating in the Australian driver claiming second place with a daring move on the brakes at Turn 14, the hairpin. Both competitors, however, paid the price, wearing out their tires and leaving Hamilton free to claim a straightforward victory.
Verstappen’s issue with tire degradation should serve as a warning to teams. His lap times dropped alarmingly, reaching lows in the 1:39s, a whole two seconds slower than Hamilton’s worst at 1:38. Pirelli anticipates that a three-stop strategy could be necessary in the race, especially given the effectiveness of the undercut.
For more details on the Chinese sprint race times, refer to the information below. Let’s dive into the qualifiers next.
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Later in the qualifying sessions, it became evident that Verstappen faced challenges against Piastri, who secured pole position. By examining the data, it was clear that Verstappen struggled in traction zones and exiting corners. Although Verstappen managed to outperform Piastri at Turn 6, overall, the McLaren showcased superior acceleration compared to the Red Bull.
However, Red Bull’s significant advantage came with the DRS, gaining an additional 34kph over the 16kph increment for McLaren when it was activated. In Shanghai, where overtaking remains notoriously difficult, this speed boost could prove to be a game-changer, especially when dealing with a cluster of slower cars.
This DRS advantage could also be advantageous for Liam Lawson’s attempt to climb up from the very back, following another less-than-ideal performance. For a closer look at how Verstappen and polesitter Piastri fared in qualifying, check the comparisons below!
