Max Verstappen delivered a masterful performance at the 2024 Chinese GP Sprint race, securing victory in the first sprint race of the weekend.
Starting from fourth on the grid, Verstappen wasted no time in asserting his dominance.
MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES POLE IN SHANGHAI 🤩
Sergio Perez will join his team mate on the front row while Fernando Alonso will start from third in Sunday's race 👏👏#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/En2nvKE3bS
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
With each lap, he closed the gap on race leader Lewis Hamilton, showcasing his precision driving and strategic prowess.
Hamilton seized the lead from pole-sitter Lando Norris at the first corner but couldn’t match Verstappen’s pace.
Verstappen, starting from fourth, effortlessly surged into the lead before the halfway point of the 19-lap race and then comfortably pulled away.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, clinched third place by emerging victorious in a dramatic four-car battle.
This battle saw Fernando Alonso retire after colliding with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
Following the collision, damage caused Sainz to drop down to fifth position in the closing stages, as teammate Charles Leclerc overtook him.
George Russell, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, drove a strong race, using soft rather than medium tires, to start from 11th on the grid and secure the final point in eighth place.
Let’s take a look at the overall ranking of the drivers for the 2024 Chinese GPs first sprint race.
F1 Chinese GP First Sprint results:
The top 8 drivers who secured points for the team are
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull –
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +13.043
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull +15.258
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +17.486
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +20.696
- Lando Norris, McLaren +22.088
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren +24.713
- George Russell, Mercedes +25.69
Verstappen’s victory extends his world championship lead to 15 points over Perez as the Dutchman seeks a fourth consecutive driver’s title.
Additionally, Red Bull’s advantage over Ferrari at the top of the constructors’ standings grows to 26 points.
Hamilton held onto second place without facing any challenges, while Sergio Perez secured third position by winning an exciting battle against Alonso and the two Ferraris.
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Perez sealed third place when both Ferraris went wheel to wheel instead of fighting for third place.
Leclerc was shown the door on more than one occasion before eventually clearing Sainz for fourth.
Gaurang is a writer at the SportsOrbit covering articles related to F1,Gaurang was 14 when he cared more about playing football than studying. But when COVID hit and he had to stay home, he discovered Formula 1. It immediately caught his interest. Since then, he’s been really into Formula 1, watching every race and learning all about it. He still loves football, but now he’s also a big fan of Formula 1, especially Lewis Hamilton. Even though he loves racing, he still looks up to Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol.