Chinese GP Sprint: George Russell wins for Mercedes after thrilling battle with Lewis Hamilton in Shanghai | F1 News

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

F1’s new cars deliver on Sprint debut

There had been discussion ahead of the first Sprint weekend of the season over the merits of holding it so early in the year following the introduction of radically different regulations for 2026, but it ultimately turned out to be one of the most entertaining races the format has produced since its introduction in 2021.

The drama was once more heightened by the challenge drivers are facing in preparing their new power units for the start procedure, with Ferrari’s early-season advantage in that department on full show again.

Hamilton zipped around the slow-moving Antonelli and then passed Norris through the opening corners, before shocking Russell with an audacious move around the outside of Turn 8.

The former team-mates then engaged in a thrilling contest with several swaps of position until Russell eventually made a pass stick on lap five.

Russell said: “Lewis did an amazing job in the early laps, he caught me off guard. He has 20 years experience, so I still have a little bit to learn there!”

Having used up significant amounts of tyre life battling Russell, Hamilton was then passed by Leclerc but only after another almighty tussle that left the Monegasque complaining about his team-mate’s tactics.

While Russell pulled clear, Antonelli surged back through the field, overtaking both McLarens and then the Ferraris, with his move on Leclerc completed just before the Safety Car was deployed to allow Hulkenberg’s Audi to be recovered.

Such was the high level of tyre wear the leaders had experienced and the large gap that had opened behind the top six, Mercedes didn’t hesitate in bringing both drivers in for new tyres, with Ferrari and McLaren following suit.

The first rolling restart of the season represented a significant challenge for Russell, but Leclerc behind him suffered wheelspin which gave the Mercedes some much-needed breathing room.

Despite losing initial ground, Leclerc was still able to apply pressure right up until the chequered flag, which he took less than a second clear of the Ferrari.

Hamilton had lost a place to Norris while being double stacked behind Leclerc during the pit stops, but eased past the McLaren to earn a well deserved third place.

“I really enjoyed it, particularly at the beginning and less so at the end,” Hamilton said. “Great to see Ferrari in the top three, and to be a part of that. It’s the first time I’ve been in that battle this year with George.

“Unfortunately, my left front tyre gave up quite early. But it was a good experience. Not too much lost ground-wise, so we will see what changes we can make now to make it better for tomorrow.”

Sky Sports F1’s Chinese GP schedule

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