China GP Sprint Report

In the morning there was no news from Sprint Qualifying but Hadjar and Gasly did something wrong on the way to the grid.  Albon was also being investigated and fined for not returning some cameras and footage because of the new wing rules that came into force this weekend.  Pirelli had also changed the mandatory tyre pressures, which would need a lot of management by drivers.

Hulkenberg would start from the pit lane after changing his suspension, which meant that Lawson would be last on the grid but not absolute last.

Hamilton got off to a great start, cutting off Verstappen.  Norris locked a wheel and dropped back to 9th.  Throughout Sprint Qualifying the time bar kept failing and the same happened during this race, which is very frustrating.  Gasly and Sainz made up a few places.

By lap 9 of 19, Verstappen was right up behind Hamilton and tyres were beginning to go.  You either had to manage the tyres and not gain position or risk losing them to stay ahead or push ahead.  At the back, they were two abreast across the track with most of the rookies up against each other.  Piastri crept closer to Verstappen and Hamilton escaped the DRS zone.

It looked like Sainz was out of the race and brought in to pit but they sent him out again, it meant he was last.  Were Williams using this session as Free Practice?

With 4 laps to go, Piastri got past Verstappen (who admitted afterwards that he let him by) but Norris was struggling and conversations were happening on the radio, where it couldn't be solved.  LeClerc was right behind Russell for 4th position but he was carrying a problem.

Hamilton secured his first victory for Ferrari, albeit a Sprint, followed by Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, LeClerc, Tsunoda, Antonelli and Norris, as the points finishers.  It was a quiet race for the Racing Bull but successful.  Bortoleto and Doohan came together on the last lap and spun.  I think the rookies' behaviour will have an impact on the races for a while to come.

A lot of the drivers seemed to be surviving, which would make for an interesting race.