The drama started right away in Q1 as Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in the first part of qualifying. After finishing the sprint race in P2, the seven-time world champion could only manage a P18 grid slot after a sector-three lock-up ruined his final run.

Perez was also lucky to make it through, ending Q1 in 15th place, but there was no such luck for home hero Zhou Guanyu, who finished just below the cut-off line following an excellent outing in the sprint.

Carlos Sainz was another man with fortune on his side on Saturday. The in-form Ferrari ace span out at the final corner in Q2, but his contact with the wall - while enough to bring out the red flag - was not severe enough to end his day.