Chinese Grand Prix Sprint: George Russell wins, fends off Ferrari challenge

As usual the Ferrari's lighting starts meant that Lewis Hamilton was soon hovering on the rear of Russell's Mercedes with Charles Leclerc also joining the battle as Kimi Antonelli bogged down on the start and Lando Norris - starting third - losing positions.

From there on, it was back to YoYo racing as Hamilton and Russell kept exchanging places based on battery charge before the Mercedes man finally made a pass stick on lap Lap 6 and starting opening up a gap as Hamilton started to struggle with his tyres with Leclerc closing in on him and ultimately passing him on Lap 7.

In the meantime, Antonelli was making his way up the order also having to deal with a ten-second penalty after contact with Isack Hadjar on Lap 1.

But then on Lap 13, Nico Hulkenberg parked his Audi on the side of the track triggering a Safety Car.

Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren called their drivers into the pits as Antonelli served his penalty.

Russell emerged in the lead again with Leclerc behind him as Norris managed to pass Hamilton in the pits.

The Safety Car was called back in at the end of Lap 16 and Russell kept his lead on the restart as Leclerc tried to attack but could not make a move stick.

Hamilton on the other hand was on the offensive as he managed to pass Norris to take the final podium position on the penultimate lap.

Norris ended up fourth in the end with Antonelli ultimately finishing in fifth as Oscar Piastri was sixth in the second McLaren.

Liam Lawson gambles on Hard tyres and stayed out under the Safety Car which paid dividends as he managed to bag two points on the day after finishing seventh having started from 13th.

Ollie Bearman took the final point after finishing eighth ahead of four-time F1 Champion Max Verstappen who was ninth in the Red Bull.

It was another tough day for the Dutchman who lost positions at the start, dropping to 15th and while he made his way up the order, he lost positions again after pitting under the Safety Car while drivers around him opted not to.

Speaking after the Sprint, Russell said: "Pretty good fun at the end. It is not easy. We got everything under control. It looks easy but it is not."

"I managed. Lewis caught me off guard," he said of the start. "I hope we can bring more to the race, We need to find a bit of improvement.

"It was pretty fun in the end! Really happy to get the win. It is really windy at the moment, and this first corner is so long. It only takes one lap of battling and you can destroy your front tyre.

"Lewis battled hard, 20 years of experience... I hope it continues," maintained.

Russell was then asked about the racing being a bit of a Yoyo right now, he responded: "I was very cautious in Melbourne first time of the season with anew car, new engine etc...

"Today I was pretty safe and comfortable. I looked into my mirror into turn 6 and had a gap to Lewis. I don’t know what would have happened if I had been able to lead. Lewis caught me.

"I fought very hard. Charles was there too. The qualifying, the optimization, the.... this is something we are working on to understand.

"There is a huge difference. The rules are quite complex. Many things to look at. We are on the right side of things," Russell concluded.

Leclerc added: "It is good to see out race pace is more similar to Mercedes than our Qualifying pace. Pretty happy.

"I nearly lost it [at the restart] but luckily I didn't!. P2 remains a P2. So I am not satisfied. I want to be back where we should be and this is a good step," he concluded.

As for Hamilton, he commented: "A big thank you for the team, for us to be able to be in this position to fight with Mercedes. Their speed on the straights is a little too much. I put up a good fight, but I killed my front left.

"It is just a much better car," he responded when asked about his improved form, "and I have been a part of developing it so just much happier. I was in the lead at one point so to finish third is not great, so I will try harder tomorrow."