Verstappen is first again, Hamilton second. Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Results

After a five-year hiatus, the Formula 1 calendar welcomed back the Chinese Grand Prix, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last night, the Grand Prix Sprint session took place. The reigning champion and three-time victor of the current season, Max Verstappen, commenced from fourth position. However, by the midpoint of the race, he surged into the lead. At the finish line, he left his closest pursuer, Lewis Hamilton, trailing by thirteen seconds.

Another Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez, crossed the finish line in third place. He capitalized on the fierce battle between Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, which resulted in the Aston Martin driver suffering a puncture. After the pit stop, the team decided not to return to the track.

Closing the top five in qualifying were the Ferrari drivers. Charles Leclerc finished fourth, with Carlos Sainz in fifth. It's worth noting that Sainz is the only driver besides Verstappen to secure a victory in the current season.

Chinese Grand Prix
Sprint

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +13.043
3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +15.258
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +17.486
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +20.696
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) +22.088
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +24.713
8. George Russell (Mercedes) +25.696
9. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) +31.951
10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +37.398
11. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) +37.840
12. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) +38.295
13. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) +39.841
14. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +40.299
15. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +40.838
16. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) +41.870
17. Alexander Albon (Williams) +42.998
18. Logan Sargeant (Williams) +46.35
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) +49.630
    Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) — retired