Max Verstappen chased down and passed Lewis Hamilton to claim victory in the opening sprint of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Hamilton passed polesitter Lando Norris to take the lead at the first corner, but was powerless to resist the pace of Verstappen, who came from fourth on the grid to take the lead before the halfway point of the 19 race turns, then comfortably cleared.
Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez took third after winning a dramatic four-car battle, which saw Fernando Alonso retire after making contact with Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.
While Sainz was able to finish, the Spaniard dropped to fifth place after being overtaken by teammate Charles Leclerc in the closing stages.
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An intense battle secures third place between Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint.
After leaving the track while trying to hold off Hamilton on the first lap, Norris had to settle for sixth place ahead of his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri.
Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell, the only driver to use soft rather than medium tires, put in a strong race to come back from 11th on the grid and take the final point in eighth.
The victory extends Verstappen’s world championship lead to 15 points over Perez as the Dutchman targets a fourth consecutive drivers’ title. Red Bull’s advantage over Ferrari at the top of the constructors’ standings stands at 26 points.
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Lewis Hamilton failed to stop Max Verstappen from taking the lead in the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race.
While Verstappen’s blistering pace makes him the hot favorite for Sunday’s long-distance race, the fact that teams can change their car settings under the new 2024 Sprint format leaves room for drivers like Perez and the Ferraris to reduce their pace deficit before qualifying, live on Sky Sports F1 at 8am on Saturday.
More soon…
Chinese GP schedule live from Sky Sports F1
Saturday April 20
7:00 a.m.: preparation for qualifying for the Chinese GP*
8:00 a.m.: Chinese GP qualifying*
10 a.m.: Ted’s qualification log*
Sunday April 21
7:00 a.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: preparation for the Chinese GP*
8 a.m.: The CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
10 a.m.: Checkered flag: reaction from the Chinese GP*
11 a.m.: Ted’s notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
You can watch every session of the Chinese Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 and Compete in every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contracts, cancel anytime
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