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
5 iconic Japanese Grand Prix battles
What tyres will the teams and drivers have for Japan?
Why Japanese car culture makes racing at Suzuka so special
Antonelli focused on ‘ultimate goal’ after maiden win
UnlockedHow Aston Martin and Honda are continuing to work ‘flat out’
How to stream the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix on F1 TV Premium
