Max Verstappen Wins Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race, Extends Championship Lead

Max Verstappen of Red Bull won the first Formula One sprint race of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday, beating Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton by 13.043 seconds. Verstappen extended his championship lead over teammate Sergio Perez, who finished third, to 15 points.

Starting from fourth on the grid, Verstappen quickly moved up to take the lead, passing Hamilton who had initially taken the lead from pole-sitter Lando Norris. By Lap 9, Verstappen claimed the race lead after Hamilton made a mistake at the hairpin. From then on, Verstappen's pace was dominant, as he built up a 13-second lead over Hamilton by the end of the 19-lap sprint race.

Verstappen said the first few laps were "quite hectic" but once he took the lead, his car was handling well. The 26-year-old Verstappen is the favorite to win the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, having won three of the first four races this year and 21 of the 22 races last season.

Why this matters: Verstappen's dominant performance in the sprint race sets the stage for a potential fourth consecutive win this season, further solidifying his position as the championship leader. The result also highlights the ongoing battle between Red Bull and Mercedes, with Hamilton securing his best result of the season so far.

Hamilton, a seven-time champion, said it felt good to be up front for a short while, as he has not been a major factor for several seasons. Perez expertly maneuvered his way into third place, while Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished fourth but was audibly angry with his teammate Carlos Sainz after making contact during the race.

The sprint race, the first of six this season, is about one-third the distance of a full race, with the winner earning eight points. The Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday will be the first Formula 1 race in China in five years, and the track has had a thin 'seal coating' applied, which Pirelli, the tire supplier, was not fully aware of heading into the sprint race.

Key Takeaways

• Max Verstappen won the first F1 sprint race of the season in China.
• Verstappen extended his championship lead over teammate Sergio Perez to 15 points.
• Lewis Hamilton secured his best result of the season so far, finishing second.
• The sprint race was the first of six to be held this season.
• The Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday will be the first F1 race in China in 5 years.