George Russell secured victory in the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday, maintaining his strong start to the new Formula One season with Mercedes-Benz.
The Mercedes driver followed his season-opening triumph at the Australian Grand Prix by winning the 19-lap sprint in Shanghai, reinforcing the team’s early momentum ahead of Sunday’s full race.
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Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, while teammate Lewis Hamilton took third place after battling Russell in the opening stages.
Russell and Hamilton exchanged the lead several times during the early laps, trading positions repeatedly before Russell began to build a gap as the race developed.
“Lewis did an amazing job in the in the early laps,” Russell said. “He caught me off guard — 20 years of experience. So I’ve still got a bit to learn.”
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Russell added that the closing stages required careful decision-making from the cockpit. “It was pretty fun in the end,” Russell added.
“A lot of strategy in play and overtakes. It’s not easy. I hope it was fun race to watch. Usually the sprint races are pretty boring.”
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Hamilton also acknowledged the pace of the Mercedes package, particularly on Shanghai’s long straights.
“That speed (of Mercedes) on the straight is just a little bit too much at the moment,” Hamilton said. “I think I put up a good fight.”
The race was briefly neutralised by a safety car period in the middle stages before racing resumed for the final three laps.
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Russell had started from pole position for the sprint alongside Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.
Behind them on the second row were Lando Norris of McLaren and Hamilton, who had won this sprint event at the Shanghai circuit the previous year.
That victory marked Hamilton’s only race win since joining Ferrari at the start of last season.
Qualifying for the main grand prix takes place later on Saturday, with the full race scheduled for Sunday at the Shanghai International Circuit.
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