Formula 1: Liam Lawson qualifies 13th for China sprint race as power woes return in Shanghai

“We’ve made a good step from practice to quali with the set-up,” said Lawson. “We just struggled a bit more here than last week.

“Melbourne really suited our car. Here it’s not as good for us. We need to do some work for tomorrow.

“In terms of set-up, I actually felt quite happy.”

Now, though, the Kiwi must wait until lights out on Saturday afternoon in the hope his power issues don’t continue to haunt him.

After winning in Melbourne last week, Mercedes’ George Russell topped every sprint qualifying session to claim pole, while teammate Kimi Antonelli saw the team lock out the front row in second.

Russell’s time of 1m 31.520s saw him 0.289s clear of Antonelli, and 0.621s in front of world champion Lando Norris, who’ll start third.

Antonelli could be dropped further down the grid, though, and is being investigated by the stewards for appearing to impede Norris earlier in qualifying.

The China sprint race begins at 4pm (NZT) on Saturday.

Earlier, Lawson enjoyed a solid, solitary practice session, despite the return of the same power problems from Melbourne, and posted a best time of 1m 34.773s from his 29 laps.

“Mate, I don’t know what to do?” the Kiwi was heard telling race engineer Alexandre Iliopoulos, after his engine failed to fire from a stationary start.

Lawson’s best effort saw him miss the top 10 by just 0.097s to Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in 10th and was over two seconds off the pace set by Russell, who topped the timing charts again with a lap of 1m 32.741s.

However, things were not as simple for Lindblad. Following points on debut in Melbourne with an eighth-placed finish, the 18-year-old could only manage six laps, before having to stop after smoke from his power unit was seen in Lindblad’s cockpit.

The teenager’s best effort was 3.123s slower than Lawson, and more than five seconds back from Russell.

China sprint race starting grid

George Russell – MercedesKimi Antonelli – Mercedes Lando Norris – McLarenLewis Hamilton – FerrariOscar Piastri – McLarenCharles Leclerc – FerrariPierre Gasly – AlpineMax Verstappen – Red BullOllie Bearman – HaasIsack Hadjar – Red BullNico Hulkenberg – AudiEsteban Ocon – HaasLiam Lawson – Racing BullsGabriel Bortoleto – AudiArvid Lindblad – Racing BullsFranco Colapinto – AlpineCarlos Sainz – WilliamsAlex Albon – WilliamsFernando Alonso – Aston MartinLance Stroll – Aston MartinValtteri Bottas – CadillacSergio Perez – Cadillac

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.