The start of qualifying was delayed due to the weather conditions. It was still raining heavily in Shanghai, and the safety car was deployed to test whether the track was drivable. Needless to say, FP3 had been cancelled for similar conditions earlier on. This time, there was at least a chance of running later.
Delayed Start
In the meantime, some drivers chatted with reporters or checked their phones, but slowly began getting ready. Eventually, another message from race control confirmed that qualifying would go ahead — but only with the group stage, skipping the usual duel phase.
That meant the format would mirror F2 qualifying in Monaco — with odd-numbered grid positions going to the faster group, and even-numbered ones to the other. Still, with standing water constantly washing across the track and resetting grip levels (often referred to as “green track“), it remained an unpredictable session.
Group A
Rowland, Wehrlein, Günther, de Vries, Ticktum, Mortara, Cassidy, Hughes, Evans, Nato, and Maloney took part in the first group. Evans was the most eager to get going, heading out first to test the conditions. His teammate Cassidy had different priorities, apparently driving too slowly. Race control noted him for not following the race director’s instructions.
Despite that, Cassidy set the early pace for Group A with a 1:32.590. That time dropped as the drivers gained confidence in the slippery conditions. De Vries, however, struggled with the conditions and spun off the track.
Ultimately, Cassidy came out on top in Group A with an impressive 1:31.305. He was followed by Wehrlein and Hughes, who were also quick throughout the session — although they were 4 and 9 tenths behind Cassidy, respectively.
Group B
The rest of the drivers lined up for Group B. Da Costa was first to set a benchmark, although his time was well off the pace of Cassidy’s. Backmann spun on the wet surface but managed to continue after getting out of the gravel. Bernard experienced similar faith, but could continue the session as well.
The same couldn’t be said for Buemi, who was thriving in similar conditions in Monaco. His spin and off-track excursion into the gravel were later attributed to a brake failure. Luckily, he stopped just short of the barrier, restarted the car, and made it back to the pits. Race control had to red flag the session.
Sadly for the drivers, who were lining up to continue trying to improve their times, the rain intensified again. Race control announced that it would not be restarted. That left da Costa as the fastest in Group B with a 1:32.952 — significantly slower than Cassidy’s time in Group A, but in far worse conditions.
It was a stellar day for Cassidy so far in these conditions. He’ll start the race from pole position, followed by da Costa and Wehrlein. Can he make it double and top the race timesheets as well?