Sprint Race Report - Russell wins another in China

By Mark Karp

George Russell took the Sprint win today in his Mercedes GP winning by 0.0674 seconds over Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari, and 2.554s over his Ferrari team mate Lewis Hamilton in third.

Lando Norris (4.433s) in the McLaren-Mercedes was fourth, followed by Kimi Antonelli (5.688s) in the second Mercedes was fifth, Oscar Piastri (6.809s) in the second McLaren was sixth, Liam Lawson (10.900s) in the RB-Ford was seventh, and Oliver Bearman (11.27s) in the Haas-Ferrari took the final point in eighth place. Verstappen and Ocon are ninth and tenth.

Before the start with Russell on pole Antonelli second on the front row, Norris and Hamilton on row 2, Piastri and Leclerc on row 3, Gasly and Vertappen on row 4, and Bearman and Hadjar rounding out the top ten.

Perez after repairs starts last. The top 9 starting on mediums, Hadjar on softs, Lawson and Alonso on hard tyres.

At the appropriate time the drivers made their formation lap to the grid, the lights go out and the race starts with Russell in the lead Hamilton and Norris in the close behind.

Antonelli and Hadjar touch on the first lap.

Hamilton takes the lead over Russell. Russell passes back.

At the start of lap 2 Hamilton goes back into the lead over Russell.

Leclerc third, ahead on Norris, Piastri, Antonello , Bearman, Gasly and Lawson in tenth

On lap 3 Russell passes Hamilton for the lead. And on lap 4 Hamilton passes Russell for the lead again.

Antonelli passes Piastri for sixth, but Piastri takes it back latter in the lap.

On lap 5 Russell takes the lead once again. Hamilton in second, Leclerc in third.

On lap 7 Antonelli passes Piastri for fifth, but has received a 10-second penalty for contact at the start with Sainz.

On lap 8 Leclerc passes Hamilton for second, Antonelli is fourth, followed by Norris, Piastri, Bearman, Hadjar, Lawson and Gasly in tenth.

On lap 10 Leclerc complains to the team for Hamilton battling him.

Antonelli is closing on Hamilton for third, with a 10-second penalty on the Mercedes driver.

On lap 11 Antonelli passes Hamilton for third.

On lap 13 Hulkenberg is stranded on the side of the track.

The Safety Car is deployed Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Lawson, Bearman, Antonelli, Piastri, Gasly, Ocon and others pit. The top four on soft tyres.

Hulkenberg’s car is towed from the side of the track.

Behind the Safety Car Russell leads Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Lawson, Bearman, Antonelli, Piastri, Gasly and Ocon in tenth, Sainz, Bortoleo, Alonso, Verstappen and Colapinto in 15th.

At the end of lap 16 the Safety Car pulls in and the race resumes with Russell in the lead.

Piastri passes Lawson for fifth.

On lap 18 Hamilton passes Norris for third.

Piastri lets Antonelli past in fifth.

Across the chequered flag Russell wins over Leclerc and Hamilton.