FRIDAY DEBRIEF: Can Norris hold off the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari in the Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix?

A sprinkling of the wet stuff turned Sprint Qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix into a thriller, with Lando Norris taking a superb pole for McLaren with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton completing an unusual front row.
But do they have any chance of defending those positions from the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari in the Sprint? And what did we learn from Friday’s running – which included just one hour of practice – to help shape what we might expect for qualifying and the Grand Prix?
Next Up
Related Articles
Piastri encouraged by progress as McLaren get 'closer' to Mercedes
Norris 'happy' with P5 Japan start after 'painful' weekend
Watch Round 2 of the 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship
Watch Qualifying from Round 2 of the F1 Sim Racing World Championship
Lindblad outlines his bold approach to Q3 appearance in Japan
AS IT HAPPENED: Antonelli beats Russell to Japanese GP pole
