The starting grid for the 2025 F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint remains provisional heading into Saturday as an investigation into Williams has been delayed.
The team was called to the stewards for failing to provide the on-board footage from cameras monitoring the front and rear-wing flexing within the hour of the end of FP1 as required by the rules.
As the case is so unusual, an immediate punishment was not immediately clear, but could range from no further action to a disqualification for both, or one of the cars, with Alex Albon ninth and Carlos Sainz currently 13th.
The case will be handled at 08:30am local time (00:30am UK) on Saturday, which means the grid remains provisional until the final verdict is in.
But what a grid it is.
Lewis Hamilton will be on sprint pole for the first time since the first-ever sprint at the 2021 British Grand Prix, and will be joined on a blockbuster front-row by Max Verstappen.
Lando Norris is sixth after a pair of mistakes on his two SQ3 laps, whilst Oscar Piastri is third.
Liam Lawson's day went from bad to worse after having a time deleted for track limits, meaning he was booted in SQ1, and will start stone dead last, unless Albon or Sainz are disqualified.
NOTE: Grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA.
Provisional starting grid for 2025 F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 2. | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3. | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 4. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 5. | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 6. | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 7. | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 8. | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls |
| 9. | Alex Albon* | Williams |
| 10. | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 11. | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 12. | Ollie Bearman | Haas |
| 13. | Carlos Sainz* | Williams |
| 14. | Gabriel Bortoleto | Stake |
| 15. | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 16. | Jack Doohan | Alpine |
| 17. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 18. | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 19. | Nico Hulkenberg | Stake |
| 20. | Liam Lawson | Red Bull |
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