F1 Chinese GP LIVE: Sprint qualifying start time and schedule as Lando Norris eyeing pole

[ASFN Admin]

The second race of the 2025 F1 season takes place in Shanghai with the Chinese Grand Prix - and the first sprint weekend of the new campaign.

Lando Norris won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for McLaren after surviving a slide off track in the rain and a late challenge from second-place Max Verstappen. George Russell was third for Mercedes.

Norris' teammate and potential title rival Oscar Piastri span off the road and recovered to finish ninth after a late overtake on Lewis Hamilton, who was 10th in a frustrating debut for Ferrari.

Verstappen took a commanding win in Shanghai last season ahead of Norris, but teams and drivers have little recent experience of a track which didn't host F1 from 2020-2023 during the Covid pandemic. Saturday's sprint race is the first of six this season.

Follow live updates of the Chinese Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 CHINESE GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES​

• Round two of the 2025 F1 season takes place in China
• Sprint qualifying on Friday starts at 7:30am (GMT)
• TRIBUTE: Rock-and-roll Eddie Jordan gave Schumacher his debut – and his flamboyance captivated F1’s paddock
• George Russell believes McLaren should win every race in 2025
• Lando Norris leads the world championship after his win in Australia

What are the start times in China?​

20:40 , Kieran Jackson
All times GMT

Friday 21 March​

• Free practice 1: 3:30am
• Sprint qualifying: 7:30am

Saturday 22 March

• Sprint race: 3am
• Qualifying: 7am

Sunday 23 March

• Race: 7am

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SPRINT WEEKEND FORMAT​

21:10
Friday: Free Practice 1; sprint qualifying (for Saturday’s sprint race)

Saturday: Sprint race (Top-eight receive points, finish order has no impact on grand prix grid); Grand Prix qualifying

Sunday: Grand Prix

How many points are on offer in the sprint race? ​

P1 - Eight points

P2 - Seven points

P3 - Six points

P4 - Five points

P5 - four points

P6 - three points

P7 - two points

P8 - one point

Rock-and-roll Eddie Jordan gave Schumacher his debut – and his flamboyance captivated F1’s paddock​

20:45 , Kieran Jackson
An old-school Irishman of quick wit and vibrancy, Eddie Jordan was a Formula One figure whose influence touched every corner of motorsport’s most-famed paddock throughout a career in the sport lasting over 30 years.

From a promising race driver and savvy team owner to a captivating broadcaster and erudite manager, Jordan’s sad passing at the age of 76 on Thursday, after a year-long battle with cancer, has sent shockwaves through a sport now in its pomp.

Full tribute below:

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Rock-and-roll Eddie Jordan had an Irish flamboyance which captivated F1’s paddock

Chinese Grand Prix!​

20:39 , Kieran Jackson
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix and round two of the 2025 F1 season!

Lando Norris won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for McLaren after surviving a slide off track in the rain and a late challenge from second-place Max Verstappen. George Russell was third for Mercedes.

Norris' teammate and potential title rival Oscar Piastri span off the road and recovered to finish ninth after a late overtake on Lewis Hamilton, who was 10th in a frustrating debut for Ferrari.

But what will happen in Shanghai this weekend? It is also the first sprint weekend of the new campaign!

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