With a show of force: Verstappen prevents Hamilton's victory

Max Verstappen won the first sprint race of the year and, with another demonstration of power, prevented record champion Lewis Hamilton's first victory in Formula 1 since the end of 2021.

20 April 2024

From: dpa/sn

On Saturday at the Shanghai International Circuit, three-time title holder Verstappen relegated the seven-time world champion from Mercedes to second place with a lead of over 19 seconds after 13 laps. Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez came third ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz (both Ferrari). Pole man Lando Norris from McLaren.

“The first laps were hectic,” said the Dutchman Verstappen, who only started from fourth place, after his 4th victory in the 8th sprint race in the premier motorsport class. “But we got stronger as the laps went on.” For Verstappen, it was also the perfect way to prepare for the qualification for the Chinese Grand Prix (Sunday, 13 a.m. CEST), which also takes place on Saturday (09 a.m. CEST). But Hamilton was also happy: “This is the best result I’ve had in a long time.”

Hamilton still has to wait for a sprint victory. © ANSA / ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Hamilton has not yet been able to win any of the sprints, which have only been in Formula 2021 since 1. His last Grand Prix victory was an unusually long time ago for the 103-time winner: he won in Saudi Arabia on December 5, 2021.