First-placed Mercedes' George Russell (2nd L) of Britain, second-placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (1st L) of Monaco and third-placed Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton of Britain (2nd R) pose on the podium after the Sprint race of Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Qian Jun/Xinhua)

by F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth

SHANGHAI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Mercedes' George Russell held off a challenge from Ferrari to convert pole position into victory in an entertaining first Sprint race of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

After setting the fastest time in Friday's qualifying session, Russell held his lead into the first corner but was overtaken by Lewis Hamilton on the back straight. The move sparked an early duel between the two Britons, who traded positions while deploying their battery power at different points on the Shanghai International Circuit.

Russell, however, appeared to manage his tyres better and regained a lead he would keep to the chequered flag by lap five.

Hamilton then faded and was passed by Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, but the Monegasque was unable to close Russell's advantage, which had grown to 4.4 seconds by lap 12.

A safety car on lap 13 briefly threatened to disrupt the order as the leading runners all pitted for fresh tyres. Russell maintained his lead at the restart and crossed the line just 0.6 seconds ahead of a charging Leclerc.

"It was a lot of fun in the end. I hope it was a fun race to watch. Usually Sprint races are pretty boring but then I got everything under control. Really happy to get the win," said Russell.

Behind the two Ferraris, Lando Norris finished fourth for McLaren, ahead of Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli, who recovered to fifth after an eventful race.

The Italian had dropped into the midfield from second on the grid after a poor start and later made light contact with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, earning a 10-second time penalty. He then briefly climbed back to second before falling to seventh after serving his penalty during his pit stop.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished sixth, ahead of Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson and Haas driver Ollie Bearman, both of whom gambled on staying out during the safety car.

Red Bull endured a difficult race, with Max Verstappen finishing ninth and outside the points after starting eighth and losing several positions at the start. Hadjar sustained damage following the early contact with Antonelli and finished 15th. ■

First-placed Mercedes' George Russell of Britain waves to the crowd after the Sprint race of Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, March 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

Mercedes' George Russell (R,front) of Britain celebrates after winning the Sprint race of Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, March 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

McLaren's Lando Norris (front) of Britain competes during the Sprint race of Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, March 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)