Piastri Delighted With 'Scruffy' Pole

Aussie 'comes alive' to chart breakthrough feat and pip Mercedes' Russell to top spot

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McLaren's Oscar Piastri was "pumped" as he took the first proper pole position of his Formula One career in China on March 22 with the fastest lap yet around the Shanghai International Circuit.

The Australian, who has had sprint poles before, was joined on the front row for the main race on March 23 by Mercedes' George Russell. The Briton was 0.082sec behind.

Piastri's teammate Lando Norris, the winner of the season opener in Australia and leader of the drivers' championship, abandoned his final effort and will start in third place with Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen in fourth.

Ferrari filled the third row, with Lewis Hamilton securing fifth after winning the earlier sprint race and teammate Charles Leclerc in sixth.

"I found a lot of pace in Q3. Q1 and Q2 I was genuinely struggling and the car came alive, I came alive in Q3. The laps were a little bit scruffy but I'm just pumped to be on pole," Piastri said.