Max Verstappen won the sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit in a fairly easy way. Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez completed the top three.
LIGHTS OUT IN SHANGHAI FOR #F1SPRINT!!!
Superb start from Hamilton who beats Norris to Turn 1#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/f5zpYcBVN0
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
Lando Norris had qualified on pole for the sprint race during a spectacular qualifying, but Norris got off to a bad start in his McLaren. Hamilton passed and in the first turning corner, Norris tried to position himself next to Hamilton, but Norris slid off the track and lost several positions.
LAP 1/19
Hamilton and Norris duel around Turn 1 & 2 before Norris runs wide and drops down to P6 #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/BoAShdcHYh
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
This gave us the lead during the early stages of the race, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen.
LAP 3/19
TOP 5
Hamilton
Alonso
Verstappen
Sainz
Perez#F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/Alcf9yjDLy— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
Based on the rest of the season, you would expect Verstappen to quickly take the lead in the race, but it took until just before halfway through the sprint race before Verstappen really started to attack. Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin was his first prey.
LAP 7/19
Alonso is powerless to stop Verstappen sweeping past at Turn 14
The Dutchman is up to P2 and breathing down Hamilton’s neck #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/zUTcauuygQ
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
Two laps later, Lewis Hamilton also followed suit and Max Verstappen took the lead halfway through the sprint race, ahead of Hamilton and Alonso. Verstappen then managed to quickly drive away from the rest.
LAP 9/19
There’s no stopping Verstappen!
He eases past Hamilton and now leads #F1Sprint #F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/qzW31ZRs55
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
We were especially looking forward to the 'train' of cars that emerged in the battle for third place. Fernando Alonso drove ahead of Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
LAP 15/19
Alonso is doing a mega job of keeping Sainz and the chasing pack at bay #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/OoUrU7xmyP
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
Fernando Alonso was the only driver without the help of DRS and the pressure on the two-time F1 champion was gradually increased. Sainz finally attacked Alonso on lap 16, but he offered stiff resistance. Ultimately, Sergio Perez took advantage of the battle between the two Spaniards to pass Alonso and Sainz.
LAP 16/19
Alonso’s defences are finally breached
Sainz goes wheel-to-wheel with his countryman and gets past #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/BwyABXquMB
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
Sainz and Alonso came into contact and the latter had to pit due to a flat tire. The points were gone for Alonso.
LAP 16/19
Perez seizes his chance after Alonso and Sainz duel and passes both of them and moves to P3 #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/ul3o0HLgfK
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
Ultimately, Max Verstappen managed to win the sprint race in a dominant manner, at the finish he had a lead of about thirteen seconds over Lewis Hamilton. Teammate Sergio Perez completed the top three. Qualifying for the race on Sunday takes place at 9am.