At the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen emerged victorious in the sprint race, surpassing both Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in a thrilling contest. Lando Norris, starting from pole position, encountered a setback as he slid wide at the first corner while defending against Hamilton’s Mercedes. Verstappen, initially finding his rhythm in the Red Bull, steadily closed in on the frontrunners. Carlos Sainz, after a battle with Alonso, yielded to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who capitalized on the opportunity to secure third place.
Subsequently, Sainz engaged in a tense duel with his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, resulting in a slight contact at the hairpin. Despite Leclerc’s dissatisfaction, he ultimately claimed fourth position ahead of Sainz and a disappointed Norris. Alonso, forced to pit due to a punctured tire from his clash with Sainz, received instructions to retire the car due to damage.
Verstappen reflected on the intense early laps, acknowledging the challenge of defending against Carlos with fresh tires. However, as the race progressed, he found his stride, managing the car’s balance and tire wear effectively. His triumph contributed eight valuable points towards his bid for a fourth championship, a feat that appears increasingly inevitable.
Verstappen’s dominance in the sprint race was evident as he swiftly ascended from fourth on the grid, establishing a commanding lead of 13 seconds within just 10 laps. Hamilton’s second-place finish marked a significant improvement for Mercedes, amidst a challenging start to the season with their new car.
Behind the leading duo, the battle intensified among former title contenders from the 2021 season. Alonso led a group comprising Sainz, Perez, Leclerc, and Norris into the latter stages of the race. Despite Alonso’s initial advantage, his fading tires allowed Sainz to mount a spirited challenge, resulting in a brief altercation between the Spanish drivers.
As Perez capitalized on the situation to claim third place, Sainz found himself defending against Leclerc, culminating in a contentious wheel-to-wheel exchange. Ultimately, Leclerc secured third position, showcasing his determination amidst the intense on-track battles.