Hamilton stunned by sprint qualifying pole position in China

LEWIS Hamilton will start today’s spring qualifier in pole position after pulling off an impressive drive in his new Ferrari, piping Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.018s.

- JEHRAN NAIDOO

Hamilton also set a new Shanghai Circuit record with his run of 1:30.849s.

This comes after a not-so-great start during the Australian race weekend, where he ran far behind teammate Charles Le Clerc.

But it would appear as though the old Hamilton is back and this time, in red. But even Hamilton himself is shocked by it.

“I’m just a bit gobsmacked, honestly. I’m a bit taken aback by it. I didn’t know when we would get to this position.

“After last weekend, it was a difficult start to the week and I came here with aggression and just wanted to go into the weekend and get the car into a really great place.