Max Verstappen roars to victory in first F1 sprint race of season at Chinese Grand Prix

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Max Verstappen, the Dutch racing sensation and triple world champion, dominated the first sprint race of the Formula One season, securing victory at the Chinese Grand Prix held at the Shanghai International Circuit on Saturday, April 20.

The 26-year-old Red Bull driver triumphed over his arch-rival, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, by an impressive margin of 13.043 seconds in the thrilling 19-lap contest.

Verstappen’s triumph not only marked his first win of the season but also extended his championship lead over his teammate Sergio Perez, who clinched the third position in the race. With this victory, Verstappen now enjoys a comfortable 15-point lead in the championship standings.

Behind the leading duo, Ferrari’s dynamic duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz secured the fourth and fifth positions respectively, showcasing the Scuderia’s resurgence in form. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris, who started the race from pole position, slipped down the order after a fierce battle with Hamilton, ultimately settling for a sixth-place finish.

Verstappen’s victory was not without its challenges. Starting from fourth on the grid, he faced initial struggles but swiftly maneuvered past competitors like Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and eventually overtook Hamilton to claim the top spot.

Reflecting on his triumph, Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “The first few laps were quite hectic… but then we became stronger.” Hamilton, on the other hand, hailed Mercedes’ progress, labeling his third-place finish as the team’s “best result in a long time.”

Looking ahead to the main race, Hamilton remained cautious about Mercedes’ prospects in qualifying, acknowledging the superior pace of rivals like Ferrari and McLaren. Despite the challenges, Hamilton remained optimistic about making improvements to his car and aiming for a better qualifying session.

The sprint race witnessed several intense battles throughout the grid, with drivers like Perez capitalising on opportunities presented by the close duels between Alonso and Sainz. Notably, Sainz and Leclerc engaged in a spirited tussle, exchanging positions amidst wheel-to-wheel action.

With agency inputs

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow