Verstappen wins Sprint Race despite early setbacks

Max Verstappen won the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race after overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the ninth lap.

Verstappen experienced some difficulties with his hybrid settings in the early stages of the race, but managed to resolve the issue by making adjustments on his steering wheel, allowing him to improve his pace and challenge for the lead.

Lando Norris, who started from pole position, suffered a poor start and lost ground to Hamilton at the first corner.

Hamilton took advantage and built a healthy lead over Fernando Alonso, who was soon overtaken by a resurgent Verstappen.

A lock-up by Hamilton at Turn 14 provided Verstappen with the perfect opportunity to seize the lead on lap nine, and the Red Bull driver never looked back, extending his advantage to 13 seconds by the time he crossed the finish line.

Behind the top two, a intense battle ensued for the final podium spot, with Sergio Perez ultimately prevailing over Alonso and the two Ferraris.

Contact between Alonso and Carlos Sainz allowed Perez to snatch third, while Charles Leclerc managed to pass his teammate for fourth.

Alonso's race ended prematurely due to a puncture sustained during the contact with Sainz.

Norris finished sixth, ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, while George Russell's gamble on soft tyres paid off, securing him eighth place and the final point on offer.

Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Results: