Verstappen sprints to wild China victory ahead of Hamilton

Max Verstappen has won the opening sprint race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, beating Lewis Hamilton to top spot.

Verstappen recovered to overcome early race pace concerns to move ahead of the Mercedes driver halfway through the Sprint.

After taking the lead on the opening lap after starting from second on the grid, the seven-time world champion was forced to settle for the runner-up spot behind his former title rival.

The second Red Bull of Sergio Perez took the final spot inside the top three having triumphed in a multi-car scrap towards the end of the race.

Concerns over pole-sitter Lando Norris' start sprouted on the formation lap as he slowly got off the line, and his fears were realised for the actual start when Hamilton jumped him into the first corner.

The duo went side-by-side through the long right-hander, with Norris losing grip on the outside line and running off the track to drop down the order.

Hamilton controlled the pace out front for the opening segment of the outing while Verstappen struggled with his engine settings in fourth place.

However, Verstappen's pace soon improved as he ran in third place, having gained a spot at the start following Norris' disastrous opening lap.

On lap seven, the Red Bull driver progressed ahead of Alonso before dispatching Hamilton on lap nine, one lap after the 39-year-old locked up and ran wide at the Turn 14 hairpin.

Alonso was forced to retire towards the end of the race after picking up a puncture amid a battle with compatriot Carlos Sainz for third place.

The fight allowed Perez to swoop through at Turn 10 before the Ferrari drivers engaged in a close battle, with brief contact made at Turn 14.

Leclerc came out on top ahead of Sainz, with the latter fending off Norris on the final lap to keep hold of fifth.

Oscar Piastri was seventh while George Russell took the final point in eighth, being the only driver to contend the race on the Soft compound.