Formula 1
Max Verstappen won the first sprint race of 2024 on Saturday. The world champion prevailed in the Red Bull ahead of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Segio Perez in the second Red Bull. Qualifying for the Grand Prix (Sunday, 9:00 a.m. CEST) is also scheduled for Saturday from 9:00 a.m.
20.04.2024 05.06
Online since today, 5:06 a.m
Verstappen, who started from fourth place, delivered another demonstration of power over 100 km and celebrated his eighth sprint victory. “The first laps were very hectic. We got stronger with every lap, the car felt good and the tires also performed well,” said the three-time season winner.
Before the fifth Grand Prix of the season, Mercedes was able to look forward to a break after a weak start to the year. “It’s the best result for a long time, I’m very happy about it,” said Hamilton. “We were able to challenge the Red Bulls a bit.” Pole-sitter Lando Norris, however, had to settle for sixth place in the McLaren after a botched start. The Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz came fourth and fifth.
AP/Andy Wong McLaren driver Lando Norris (m) botched the start
First Shanghai success for Verstappen
In the World Championship standings, Verstappen, who triumphed in a race in China for the first time ever, increased his lead over Perez (70) to 15 points with 85 points. This is followed by the Ferrari drivers Leclerc (64) and Sainz (59).
Timetable in ORF1
Sunday:
1:15 p.m.: The race to watch
2:55 p.m.: “Formula 1 Motorhome”
Unlike in the sprint qualifying on Friday, the rain played no role on Saturday at the Shanghai International Circuit. Norris fell far behind after an unsuccessful start; the Brit slipped off the outside of the track in the first corner. Hamilton, who has already won the Chinese GP five times, did much better and initially led the race ahead of Alonso and Verstappen. The world champion, who started from fourth place, first complained about problems with the battery before overtaking Alonso on the seventh lap.
At this point, Hamilton was around one and a half seconds ahead of the Red Bull dominator. Two laps later, Verstappen passed the Silver Arrow. While the triple world champion ultimately gained a lead of 13.043 seconds, Alonso wanted to defend his third place against Sainz with all his might. However, the 42-year-old Spaniard suffered a puncture during a hard maneuver and was eliminated. Meanwhile, Perez thanked him for the podium place.
Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai
Final standings in the sprint race (19 laps): 1. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull 32:04.660 2. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes + 13.043 3. Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull 15.258 4. Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 17.486 5. Carlos Sainz ESP Ferrari 20.696 6. Lando Norris GBR McLaren 22.088 7. Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren 24.713 8. George Russell GBR Mercedes 25.696 9. Zhou Guanyu CHN Kick Sauber 31.951 10. Kevin Magnussen DEN Haas 37.398 11. Daniel Ricciardo AUS RB 37.840 12. Valtteri Bottas FIN Kick Sauber 38.2 95 13 . Esteban Ocon FRA Alpine 39.841 14. Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin 40.299 15. Pierre Gasly FRA Alpine 40.838 16. Yuki Tsunoda JPN RB 41.870 17. Alexander Albon THA Williams 42.998 18. Logan Sargeant USA Williams 46.352 19. Nico Hülkenberg GER Haas 49,630
Out: Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin)
