Perez's sprint qualifying ends prematurely amid fuel system issue

Published on 13/03/2026 11:35 in sports • Ted Simmons

Shanghai's Formula 1 sprint qualifying session was dramatically curtailed on Friday after Sergio Perez's Cadillac was found to have a persistent fuel system problem, preventing him from participating. The incident adds to a turbulent weekend for the team, following a disappointing Australian Grand Prix.

Russell secures pole position as red bull faces setbacks

Russell secures pole position as red bull faces setbacks

The session saw George Russell in the Mercedes claim pole position, a familiar sight mirroring the Australian race. However, the day was marred by issues for Red Bull, with Max Verstappen struggling with car problems and ultimately finishing eighth. His frustration was palpable, with radio exchanges revealing significant handling issues. The team also opted for a non-standard 'Macarena' rear wing, which proved unhelpful during the qualifying session.

The technical difficulties weren't limited to Red Bull. Ferrari also decided against using the Macarena wing after the first free practice, citing a lack of desired performance. Nico Hulkenberg's Audi also had a difficult session, ending up in 11th place, narrowly missing out on Q2.

Adding to the drama, a brief incident occurred between Lando Norris of McLaren and Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. Norris accused Antonelli of blocking him in Q2, though the stewards initially took no action. The sprint race is set to take place on Saturday at 4:00 PM German time, with live coverage on Sky and a live ticker on SPORT BILD.

The final qualifying order saw Mercedes dominate the front row, with Kimi Antonelli securing second place. The performance of the Cadillac was a significant blow for the team, particularly after Valtteri Bottas' retirement in the Australian Grand Prix. This is a setback they will need to overcome quickly.

Qualifying Results: 1. George Russell (Mercedes), 2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 3. Lando Norris (McLaren), 4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 9. Oliver Bearman (Haas), 10. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull).