Lewis Hamilton shattered the lap record at the Shanghai circuit during a remarkable qualifying session that secured him his first sprint race pole with Ferrari in China on Friday, March 21. He will be joined on the front row by Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen, who finished just 0.018 seconds behind.

Hamilton clocked an impressive time of 1:30.849, outpacing last year’s victor, Verstappen, in what was the season’s inaugural sprint race qualifying for Formula One. As the excitement of a new season unfolds, storylines such as a vulnerable Verstappen, a determined Norris, and a rejuvenated Hamilton are beginning to take shape.

In the battle for grid positions, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured third place, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fourth. Mercedes’ George Russell qualified fifth, while McLaren’s championship leader Lando Norris took sixth.

For Hamilton, this pole position marked a significant achievement after his disappointing 10th place finish in the season opener in Australia just a week prior. “I didn’t see this coming, but I am so thrilled and proud,” the 40-year-old veteran exclaimed. “The last event didn’t go well for us, and we knew there was untapped potential in the car that we hadn’t maximized. I’m still a bit in disbelief.”

Verstappen, reflecting on his second-place finish, found solace in being on the front row, but acknowledged the challenge of holding off the McLaren drivers during the shortened race. “I’m very pleased. We were somewhat off the pace in practice, so to be here on the front row is encouraging,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris experienced frustration, as a mistake in the final corner led to him abandoning what could have been a strong lap. “I locked up in the last corner and we just didn’t have enough pace. The car was tougher to handle with the wind conditions, but I still believe we can improve during the race,” he noted.

Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start his debut in seventh place, followed by Yuki Tsunoda from Racing Bulls, Alex Albon of Williams, and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll.

Haas’ British rookie Oliver Bearman bounced back from a challenging outing in Melbourne, qualifying 12th ahead of Carlos Sainz of Williams in 13th. In contrast, Red Bull’s Liam Lawson faced a rough start to his partnership with Verstappen, ending up at the back of the grid and struggling to get his tires to perform.

Neither Alpine driver advanced past the first qualifying round, with Pierre Gasly set to start in 17th place and rookie Jack Doohan in 16th.

Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates delighted his followers by posting an Instagram video featuring Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, with the playful caption, “A snack break before we get to work.” The brief clip captures the duo relishing Mumbai’s beloved street food, vada pav, whilst perched on a bench, ending with a teasing “Serving soon” message splashed across the screen.

Gates, currently touring India, has been making waves with high-profile engagements. Earlier this week, he touched down in New Delhi, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. His itinerary then brought him to Mumbai, where he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The tech titan’s visit underscores his ongoing fascination with India’s innovative spirit, a theme he expanded upon in a recent blog post.

Writing on his personal site, Gates reflected on the trip’s impact: “I came away with fresh perspectives because India is brimming with clever, driven individuals addressing some of the globe’s toughest challenges in ingenious ways.” His words echo sentiments he shared ahead of the visit, when he praised Odisha’s farmers for leveraging artificial intelligence to boost agricultural outcomes—a story that’s garnered attention for its blend of tradition and technology.

The vada pav moment with Tendulkar, a national treasure, adds a light-hearted touch to Gates’s packed schedule. It’s not just a snack break; it hints at a potential collaboration, though details remain under wraps. For Indian fans, seeing two legends—one from tech, the other from cricket—share a casual bite is a rare treat, blending global influence with local flavour.

As Gates continues his journey, his interactions spotlight India’s dual role as a hub of innovation and a cultural powerhouse. Whether it’s AI-driven farming or a street-side snack with a sporting hero, his visit is proving to be a feast of ideas—and vada pav.

Renowned filmmaker AR Murugadoss, who has helmed blockbusters with some of India’s biggest stars, has revealed that directing a film with a superstar like Salman Khan, his collaborator in the forthcoming action flick Sikandar, demands a delicate balance. Murugadoss admitted that staying entirely faithful to a script becomes tricky when catering to the expectations of a massive fanbase.

“You can’t make a regular film with a superstar. It’s about giving the fans what they want—those larger-than-life moments—which means you can’t always be 100 per cent true to the original vision,” he said speaking to PTI.

Murugadoss, a veteran of South Indian cinema, has worked with titans like Rajinikanth (Darbar), Vijay (Sarkar, Kaththi, Thuppakki), Suriya (Ghajini), Ajith Kumar (Dheena), Mahesh Babu (Spyder), and Chiranjeevi (Stalin). Now, after steering Aamir Khan to box-office glory with Ghajini, he’s teamed up with Salman Khan for Sikandar, set for an Eid release on 30 March 2025. The director stressed that superstars, with their unwavering dedication to their followers, shape the filmmaking process. “They’re passionate about maintaining and growing their stardom. As directors, we learn from their commitment,” he noted.

Sikandar, tailored for Salman’s ardent supporters, promises to differ from his past outings. “It’s got unique elements,” Murugadoss shared. “Like Ghajini had a tender love story, this one features a heartfelt husband-wife narrative.” Beyond the high-octane action fans crave, the film carries a poignant message about family. “In today’s rush, people barely spend time with loved ones—parents, friends. This commercial entertainer subtly reminds us to cherish those bonds,” he explained.

The collaboration with Salman traces back to 2014, when Murugadoss, then shooting Holiday with Akshay Kumar, met Khan on Madh Island. “I told him I wanted to work together, and he said the same,” the Chennai-based director recalled. Years later, producer Sajid Nadiadwala tapped Murugadoss for a fresh script, deeming Salman ideal for the lead. After months of development, a 30-minute narration at Salman’s Galaxy apartment sealed the deal. “He stepped out for a smoke, then asked if I’d adapt to his 2 pm-to-2 am schedule. I knew he was hooked,” Murugadoss chuckled.

Directing Salman wasn’t without its challenges. “We’d often disagree on scenes, so we’d shoot both versions and settle it in the edit,” he said. The cast, including Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, brings depth to the tale. Addressing their age gap, Murugadoss justified, “The story explains his late marriage—it fits.” Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, and Prateik Babbar round out the ensemble.

Juggling Sikandar with Madharasi (starring Sivakarthikeyan), Murugadoss faced logistical hurdles. “Rain delayed Madharasi’s schedules, so I asked for a pause to wrap Sikandar first,” he said. With 20 days left on Madharasi, slated for a 2025 release, the director’s knack for managing superstar-driven projects shines through once more.