Australian Oscar Piastri will begin a Formula 1 grand prix from pole position for the first time on Sunday in China, seeking the third win of his career.

The McLaren driver was the best of the field on Saturday afternoon in Shanghai, pipping Mercedes driver George Russell who will start alongside him.

Piastri had achieved pole for two sprint races in his young career, but his blistering lap on Saturday gives him the number one spot for a full grand prix for the first time.

“Been close a few times now and yeah, nice to finally have my first pole,” Piastri told reporters. 

“I’ve had a couple of sprint poles, but to have the first grand prix pole means a bit more.”

It has been a terrific bounce-back from the Melbourne-born racer, who spun out of winning contention last Sunday in the Australian Grand Prix.

Piastri was running second before his mistake on lap 44 of 57, needing to produce some late overtakes to salvage ninth place.

But his weekend in China has so far been excellent, claiming second place in Saturday’s sprint race after qualifying third fastest a day earlier.

While other drivers, including his teammate Lando Norris, have been inconsistent between sessions, Piastri has been fighting for top spot all weekend. 

“I’ve worked hard for it and I feel like the start of the season has been strong,” he said. 

“Obviously the result in Melbourne was a shame, but I feel like I’ve been doing a good job otherwise.”

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton won Saturday’s sprint race from pole, taking advantage of having clean air for all 19 laps. 

Meanwhile, Piastri’s late overtake of reigning world champion Max Verstappen was a testament to the Australian’s ability to keep his tyres in good condition despite driving through the turbulent air of a car in front. 

With a clean start on Sunday afternoon, Piastri is hoping he can control the race and claim his third grand prix victory of his career.

“Just got to make sure I keep that clean air,” he said.

“I was pretty happy after the sprint. I think we did the most that we could have.

“We learned a lot [Saturday] morning and looking forward to trying to put that into use [on Sunday].”

The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix will begin at 6pm AEDT.