Shanghai, March 13 -- George Russell will start the first Formula 1 Sprint event of 2026 from pole position after beating teammate Kimi Antonelli in qualifying.
This year's new regulations place a strong emphasis on energy management and deployment,with power now split evenly between the cars' internal combustion engines and electric motors.
The rules also increase the focus on harvesting energy through braking and lifting off the throttle. Mercedes currently seems to understand the new regulations better than other teams, and Russell's best time of 1:31.520 was over 0.6s quicker than the nearest non-Mercedes runner, according to Xinhua.
"The car has been feeling amazing," said an effusive Russell, who won last weekend's season-opening r...