Mercedes’ George Russell beat Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to victory in a thrilling Chinese Grand Prix Sprint.
Russell started on pole after he and team-mate Kimi Antonelli had locked out the front row, but Ferrari once more made stunning starts as Hamilton surged forwards from fourth on the grid before taking the lead later on the first lap.
Hamilton engaged in a thrilling battle with Russell as the lead changed hands several times in the opening laps, but was eventually passed for good by the Mercedes and then also by his team-mate Leclerc.
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Lewis Hamilton took the lead after a thrilling start to the Chinese GP Sprint.
Russell opened up a near five-second lead but was then forced to defend once more as a late Safety Car set up a thrilling three-lap race to the finish after the leaders all stopped for fresh tyres.
Russell said: “It was pretty fun in the end! A lot of strategy at play and how you do the overtakes is not easy.
“I hope it was a fun race to watch. Usually, the Sprint is pretty boring. I had everything under control, then there was a Safety Car.. so pretty happy with the win.”
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George Russell thinks Ferrari are in the fight against Mercedes after battling with Lewis Hamilton in the Chinese GP Sprint.
Having won last weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Russell extends his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 10 points over Antonelli after the Italian could only manage fifth.
As was the case when he was also second on the grid in Melbourne, Antonelli had an awful start and then compounded his woes by colliding with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar later on the first lap and earning himself a 10-second time penalty.
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Charles Leclerc fumes at Lewis Hamilton as Ferrari’s nearly touch in Sprint at the Chinese GP.
Antonelli exhibited Mercedes’ impressive pace as he fought back to second on track, but then dropped back once more as he served his time penalty when stopping under the Safety Car.
He finished between the McLarens, with reigning world champion Lando Norris taking fourth after being unable to hold off Hamilton having gained a place during the pit stops when Ferrari were forced to double stack their cars.
Oscar Piastri was sixth, with Liam Lawson claiming two points for Racing Bulls in seventh and Oliver Bearman earning the final point for Haas.
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Max Verstappen cut a bleak figure after finishing ninth in the Chinese GP Sprint race.
Max Verstappen endured another painful experience in his Red Bull as he lost several places at the start before fighting back to finish a place outside the points in ninth.
Nico Hulkenberg having to stop his Audi on track was what triggered the Safety Car, while Racing Bulls’ British rookie Arvid Lindblad and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas were also forced to retire by technical issues.
The action continues later on Saturday, live on Sky Sports F1 at 7am, with full qualifying for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.
Sky Sports F1’s Chinese GP schedule
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A look back at the wildest moments caught on the onboard cameras at the Chinese Grand Prix
Saturday March 14
5.30am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6.30am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday March 15
2.35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
9am: Chinese GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season at the Chinese Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
