sport news Lando Norris conquers the conditions to claim pole position in Shanghai for the ... trends now

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Lando Norris proved he is the man for all seasons by conquering a treacherous Shanghai International Circuit to claim pole for the first Sprint Race of the season on Saturday.

As his competitors struggled to keep their cars on the straight and narrow around a track which quickly became an ice rink following a heavy downpour late into the second qualifying session, Norris showed great skill and composure to perfect the equilibrium of risk and reward and safely shepherd his McLaren to pole.

Norris’ pole-setting time was initially wiped from the timesheets after he was adjudged by the stewards to have exceeded track limits, handing Lewis Hamilton a shock pole.

But Norris' mark was reinstated soon after, knocking Hamilton down to second and meaning that it will be the McLaren driver who will lead the British charge on Saturday in China where there will be a maximum of eight crucial Championship points up for grabs.

‘It was (wild). I am extremely happy, big thanks to the team. It was tricky,’ said the 24-year-old. ‘I was nervous. I was quick, I kept catching the Ferrari so had to keep backing off. I got a good final lap. I am happy, sad it is not for a proper qualifying but good enough. It was good fun, it gets your heart going. A nice surprise and a good position for tomorrow.’