Chinese Grand Prix 2025: Results, UK start and TV times as Lewis Hamilton seals pole for F1 Sprint race

Round two of the 2025 Formula 1 season has seen the Chinese Grand Prix make a thrilling return over a blockbuster weekend of action. Lewis Hamilton will be on pole position at Shanghai International Circuit, his first with Ferrari, for the first of six sprint events this year. Hamilton jumped out in front of the No.1 in a Ferrari for the first timeGetty The Brit set the fastest lap time in Friday sprint qualifying to provide the perfect response to his miserable debut in Australia last time out. The seven-time F1 world champion crossed the line in a lowly tenth position to claim just a solitary point during his first outing in red. However, Hamilton’s time of 1:30.849 in China was enough for pole – and is also a new track record for the Shanghai International Circuit, beating Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari qualifying time of 1:31.095 in 2018. His compatriot Lando Norris, who won the season opener, is down in sixth, with defending champion Max Verstappen in second. The McLaren star ended the Dutchman’s 63-race streak at the top of the driver’s standings which had started way back in Spain in 2022. In contrast to Melbourne’s rainy season opener, the weather forecasts for Shanghai have proven accurate so far with sunny skies. Chinese Grand Prix: Date and UK start time The race weekend at Shanghai International Circuit started om Friday, March 21 and will run until Sunday, March 23. A single practice session got racing underway at 3:30am UK time on Friday before Sprint qualifying started at 7:30am. The Sprint Race then takes place at 3am on Saturday ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix at 7am. Light’s Out for the Chinese GP is at 7am UK time on Sunday. F1's recent race winners in China 2024 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull 2020-2023: Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic 2019 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 2018 – Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 2017 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 2016 – Nico Rosberg, Mercedes 2015 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 2014 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Hamilton was once a serial winner in ShanghaiGetty Images - Getty Chinese Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of the Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 5:30am on Sunday. Sky customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices. You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening. Piers Prior will also have updates on the Chinese Grand Prix live on talkSPORT. To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM. How to watch Formula 1 in 2025 *If you click a link in this box we may earn affiliate revenue This year’s F1 season is set to get the pulses racing, with reigning champion Max Vertappen, Lewis Hamilton and young contender Lando Norris expected to be competing for the driver’s championship. A lot of interest has been generated by Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, where he will be racing alongside Charles Leclerc in what could be an exiting combination for the iconic racing brand. If you want to watch Formula 1 races in 2025, you’ll need a Sky Sports subscription. We’ve rounded up some options for signing up below to help you find the best subscription for you. Sky Glass Gen 2 TV, Sky Essentials TV package and Sky Sports – From £49 a month with £20 upfront cost Sky Stream, Sky Sports, Sky Essential TV package with Netflix – £35 a month Upgrade an existing Sky subscription to include Sky Sports – £22 a month NOW Sky Sports Day membership – £14.99 one-off payment NOW Sky Sports flexible monthly membership – £34.99 a month, cancel any time Chinese Grand Prix: F1 Sprint Qualifying Results Lewis Hamilton [Ferrari] – 1:30.849sec Max Verstappen [Red Bull] – +0.018sec Oscar Piastri [McLaren] – +0.080sec Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] – +0.208sec George Russell [Mercedes] – +0.320sec Lando Norris [McLaren] – +0.544sec Kimi Antonelli [Mercedes] – +0.889sec Yuki Tsunoda [Racing Bulls] – +0.924sec Alex Albon [Williams] – +1.003sec Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] – +1.133sec ELIMINATED IN SQ2 Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] Ollie Bearman [Haas] Carlos Sainz [Williams] Gabriel Bortoleto [Sauber] Isack Hadjar [Racing Bulls] ELIMINATED IN SQ1 Jack Doohan [Alpine] Pierre Gasly [Alpine] Esteban Ocon [Haas] Nico Hulkenberg [Sauber] Liam Lawson [Red Bull] Verstappen took the chequered flag upon China’s return to F1 last yearAFP Chinese Grand Prix: What has been said? Hamilton was left ‘gobsmacked’ after securing his first pole. “I’m just a bit gobsmacked, honestly,” said Hamilton. “I’m a bit tak

Mar 21, 2025 - 14:53

Chinese Grand Prix 2025: Results, UK start and TV times as Lewis Hamilton seals pole for F1 Sprint race

Round two of the 2025 Formula 1 season has seen the Chinese Grand Prix make a thrilling return over a blockbuster weekend of action.

Lewis Hamilton will be on pole position at Shanghai International Circuit, his first with Ferrari, for the first of six sprint events this year.

Hamilton jumped out in front of the No.1 in a Ferrari for the first time

The Brit set the fastest lap time in Friday sprint qualifying to provide the perfect response to his miserable debut in Australia last time out.

The seven-time F1 world champion crossed the line in a lowly tenth position to claim just a solitary point during his first outing in red.

However, Hamilton’s time of 1:30.849 in China was enough for pole – and is also a new track record for the Shanghai International Circuit, beating Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari qualifying time of 1:31.095 in 2018.

His compatriot Lando Norris, who won the season opener, is down in sixth, with defending champion Max Verstappen in second.

The McLaren star ended the Dutchman’s 63-race streak at the top of the driver’s standings which had started way back in Spain in 2022.

In contrast to Melbourne’s rainy season opener, the weather forecasts for Shanghai have proven accurate so far with sunny skies.

Chinese Grand Prix: Date and UK start time

The race weekend at Shanghai International Circuit started om Friday, March 21 and will run until Sunday, March 23.

A single practice session got racing underway at 3:30am UK time on Friday before Sprint qualifying started at 7:30am.

The Sprint Race then takes place at 3am on Saturday ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix at 7am.

Light’s Out for the Chinese GP is at 7am UK time on Sunday.

F1's recent race winners in China

2024 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2020-2023: Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic

2019 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2018 – Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull

2017 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2016 – Nico Rosberg, Mercedes

2015 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2014 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

Hamilton was once a serial winner in Shanghai

Chinese Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream

The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of the Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 5:30am on Sunday.

Sky customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.

You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.

Piers Prior will also have updates on the Chinese Grand Prix live on talkSPORT.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

How to watch Formula 1 in 2025

*If you click a link in this box we may earn affiliate revenue

This year’s F1 season is set to get the pulses racing, with reigning champion Max Vertappen, Lewis Hamilton and young contender Lando Norris expected to be competing for the driver’s championship.

A lot of interest has been generated by Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, where he will be racing alongside Charles Leclerc in what could be an exiting combination for the iconic racing brand.

If you want to watch Formula 1 races in 2025, you’ll need a Sky Sports subscription.

We’ve rounded up some options for signing up below to help you find the best subscription for you.

Sky Glass Gen 2 TV, Sky Essentials TV package and Sky Sports – From £49 a month with £20 upfront cost
Sky Stream, Sky Sports, Sky Essential TV package with Netflix – £35 a month
Upgrade an existing Sky subscription to include Sky Sports – £22 a month
NOW Sky Sports Day membership – £14.99 one-off payment
NOW Sky Sports flexible monthly membership – £34.99 a month, cancel any time

Chinese Grand Prix: F1 Sprint Qualifying Results

Lewis Hamilton [Ferrari] – 1:30.849sec
Max Verstappen [Red Bull] – +0.018sec
Oscar Piastri [McLaren] – +0.080sec
Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] – +0.208sec
George Russell [Mercedes] – +0.320sec
Lando Norris [McLaren] – +0.544sec
Kimi Antonelli [Mercedes] – +0.889sec
Yuki Tsunoda [Racing Bulls] – +0.924sec
Alex Albon [Williams] – +1.003sec
Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] – +1.133sec

ELIMINATED IN SQ2

Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin]
Ollie Bearman [Haas]
Carlos Sainz [Williams]
Gabriel Bortoleto [Sauber]
Isack Hadjar [Racing Bulls]

ELIMINATED IN SQ1

Jack Doohan [Alpine]
Pierre Gasly [Alpine]
Esteban Ocon [Haas]
Nico Hulkenberg [Sauber]
Liam Lawson [Red Bull]

Verstappen took the chequered flag upon China’s return to F1 last year

Chinese Grand Prix: What has been said?

Hamilton was left ‘gobsmacked’ after securing his first pole.

“I’m just a bit gobsmacked, honestly,” said Hamilton. “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.

“I started out straightaway with a better feeling in the car and I can’t believe that we’re at the front, ahead of a McLaren which has been so fast throughout winter testing, the first race, and even today.”

Assessing his lap, he added: “My first sector was really, really strong, I think that’s where I made most of my improvement on that lap, but just little increments through the whole place.

“There’s still time to find, for sure, which I’ll try and make sure that I apply to the next Qualifying session we go out in. It’s amazing to see the number one as you stop and to be in the red car, it’s pretty incredible.”