SHANGHAI – Mercedes driver George Russell secured victory in the first Formula 1 sprint race of the 2026 season in China, holding off a strong challenge from Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton The win extends Russell's lead in the World Championship standings
Russell started from pole position after he and teammate Kimi Antonelli secured a front-row lockout for Mercedes in sprint qualifying However, Russell lost the lead on the opening lap to a fast-starting Hamilton The two engaged in a multi-lap battle for first place before Russell eventually retook the lead for good
Ferrari claimed the remaining podium positions, with Leclerc passing his teammate Hamilton to secure second place Hamilton finished third, completing a double podium for the team Leclerc’s charge for the lead was hampered during a late safety car restart, where he said a “very scary moment” with wheelspin cost him the chance to challenge Russell in the final laps
A late-race safety car intervention bunched the field, setting up a three-lap dash to the finish Russell managed the restart and held on to win. The victory marks a strong start to the season for the British driver, who also won the opening race in Australia The result, combined with Mercedes' qualifying performance, puts the team in a strong position ahead of Sunday's main Grand Prix
ISN MEDIA