Hamilton's Unexpected Pole: Red Bull Advisor Stunned by Shanghai Sprint Qualifying Performance

Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for Ferrari in the Shanghai sprint race, a feat described as 'unbelievable' by Red Bull's Helmut Marko. The seven-time world champion's performance marks a significant turnaround after struggling in his initial Ferrari outing. Hamilton outperformed teammate Charles Leclerc, who qualified fourth, as well as Red Bull's Max Verstappen and McLaren's Oscar Piastri. This is only Hamilton's second pole position in a sprint race, the first since the 2021 British Grand Prix. Marko expressed astonishment at Hamilton's ability to surpass Leclerc, a renowned qualifier, highlighting the achievement's magnitude. Despite the impressive qualifying result, Marko remains uncertain whether Hamilton will pose a consistent threat to Verstappen's pursuit of a fifth consecutive world title. He noted that the new asphalt might reduce degradation, influencing race pace. Hamilton himself expressed surprise at his performance, citing a difficult start to the week and a determination to improve the car's setup.