China - Sprint

The first point-providing session in Shanghai was the 19-lap long sprint race that opened Saturday's events. Despite the shorter format, so often known for being lackluster, the Chinese sprint provided enough excitement for all fans to feel justified in not skipping the less popular session. 

As soon as the lights went out and the race began, the two Ferraris began their descent up the field, with Lewis Hamilton moving to P2 and Charles Leclerc to P4. Lando Norris also moved up, finding himself between the two red cars. George Russell stayed at the very front, but his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, had quite a disappointing start and ended up falling a few places before making contact with the Red Bull of Isack Hadjar. The moment was race-defining for both as Hadjar immediately fell in the order, and Antonelli was later given a 10-second penalty. 

Hamilton and Russell spent the first few laps dancing around the lead and continuously stealing it from one another. Their rivalry only stopped towards the end of lap 5, when the Mercedes moved to the front and refused to give up the position. In the meantime, Leclerc, who had managed to clear Norris, moved right behind his teammate, ready to switch positions with the Brit. He moved into P2 on lap, starting an intra-team fight. It didn't last long as the two Ferraris also needed to start worrying about Antonelli, who had made his way up the field and began breathing down their necks. 

Arvid Lindblad, who spun on the opening lap and was therefore running in last position. Was told to box the car on lap 12. He wasn't the only one to retire. The same fate befell Valtteri Bottas and Nico Hulkenberg. The latter's exit caused a stir on the field as his engine gave out on track, leading to a safety car being called in. This gave the drivers the perfect opportunity to exchange their used mediums for new softs, and many took it with open arms, with the top teams double-stacking their drivers. 

When the safety car ended on lap 15, Russell was still in the lead with Leclerc right behind him and Norris' McLaren splitting the two Ferraris. He didn't last long in the podium-scoring position and was promptly overtaken by Hamilton. The Mercedes and the two Ferraris would go on to finish the race in that order. Behind them, Piastri was told to give the P5 he had gained back to Antonelli to avoid a penalty for a safety car infringement. He listened to his team, sparing himself the fate of having five seconds added to his time, just like Sergio Perez. 

Order of the grid:

1. George Russell

2. Charles Leclerc

3. Lewis Hamilton

4. Lando Norris

5. Kimi Antonelli

6. Oscar Piastri

7. Liam Lawson

8. Oliver Bearman

9. Max Verstappen

10. Esteban Ocon

11. Pierre Gasly

12. Carlos Sainz

13. Gabriel Bortolto

14. Franco Colapinto

15. Isack Hadjar

16. Alex Albon

17. Fernando Alonso

18. Lance Stroll

19. Sergio Perez

DNF: Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Arvid Lindblad