McLaren had to settle for the third row in Shanghai, with Oscar Piastri fifth ahead of Lando Norris, both around half a second off polesitter Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes. There are obvious signs of improvement compared to Melbourne, where the team failed to optimise its performance in qualifying and was still learning on the job as it tried to get the most out of its complex new Mercedes power unit.
With McLaren gradually learning more about its engine, a more straight-forward China qualifying session uncovered other areas of both strength and weakness compared to the works team as well as 2026's second-fastest team Ferrari.
