F1 leader Russell wins Shanghai sprint for Mercedes

SHANGHAI, March 14 : George Russell held off the fast-starting Ferraris to win the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race for Mercedes on Saturday and stretch his Formula One championship lead to 11 points.

The Briton started on pole position at the Shanghai International Circuit and finished ahead of Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton after an opening tussle and late safety car period in the 19-lap race.

Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix last weekend in a Mercedes one-two.

"It was pretty fun in the end," he said after taking eight points for the win.

"A lot of strategy at play and how you do the overtakes, it is not easy. I hope it was a fun race to watch. Usually the sprint races are pretty boring."

Leclerc finished 0.674 seconds behind after a battle with Hamilton, as Ferrari had two cars in the top three of a Formula One race of any sort for the first time since the Abu Dhabi finale in 2024.

LECLERC AND HAMILTON BATTLE FOR POSITION

Last year's sprint winner Hamilton, who lined up fourth on the grid this time with Leclerc sixth, traded the lead with Russell four times in the opening five laps.

"Lewis did an amazing job in the early laps. He caught me off-guard but, you know, 20 years of experience. I've still got a little bit to learn there," said the Mercedes driver.

Leclerc said his wheel-to-wheel battle with Hamilton had cost him time to Russell but that it was encouraging to see Ferrari's race pace was closer to Mercedes than in qualifying.

"Pretty happy with the car today," he said.

McLaren's reigning champion Lando Norris finished fourth with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli fifth after serving a 10-second penalty for a clash with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar on the opening lap.

Oscar Piastri finished sixth for