“Every lap in Shanghai counts, and Russell made the first one perfect”
George Russell claimed victory in the sprint race at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix held at the Shanghai International Circuit. The 19-lap sprint, lasting around 35 minutes, featured intense battles, a safety car period, and several on-track incidents, making it an action-packed race.
Russell led the field to take the win for Mercedes, earning eight championship points. Charles Leclerc finished second and Lewis Hamilton third, giving Ferrari two cars on the podium. Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli completed the top five, with Antonelli receiving a 10-second penalty for contact with Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar. Oscar Piastri finished sixth, while Max Verstappen struggled with tyre degradation and handling issues, ending up ninth.
The sprint showcased strategic battles and lead changes throughout, with the safety car period shuffling the running order and giving several drivers an opportunity to move up. Russell’s victory strengthens his championship position and sets the stage for an exciting main race on Sunday, as the top drivers aim to capitalize on their sprint performances.