Lewis Hamilton gave his utmost in an attempt to secure back-to-back victories in the Shanghai Sprint races, initially taking the lead over former team-mate George Russell. However, the Mercedes driver retaliated to preserve his flawless start to the new Formula 1 season, whilst Hamilton had to make do with third place after irking his current partner Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari once again had a powerful start, propelling Hamilton, who began in fourth position, into an immediate battle for the lead at the first corner. Russell initially kept him at bay, but the seven-time F1 champion eventually seized the lead later on the opening lap.

The pair battled fiercely yet fairly for several more laps until the fifth, when Russell made a successful move with the aid of his potent Mercedes engine along the lengthy back straight.

Hamilton, having expended considerable energy and tyre rubber in his attempts to outdo Russell, soon fell back to third behind Leclerc in the other Ferrari.

However, as they duelled for position, the Monegasque was not pleased with the amount of space he was given, particularly through the tight and twisty initial corners on the Shanghai International Circuit. "Does he know how wide these cars are?" Leclerc queried grumpily over the radio.

A late safety car, triggered by Nico Hulkenberg being forced to stop his stricken Audi on track, led to the unusual spectacle of numerous cars pitting for fresh tyres during a Sprint race.

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It also left Russell, who had established a comfortable lead, with work to do in the closing stages with team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who had climbed back up to second after a poor start, out of contention when he served a 10-second time penalty for colliding with Isack Hadjar at the first corner.

But Russell held on to beat Leclerc by less than a second, whilst Hamilton fought his way back up to third after dropping behind Lando Norris in the pit lane. Max Verstappen finished the day pointless after a dreadful start from eighth on the grid, falling as low as 20th on the opening lap and only able to recover to ninth.

Full Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race result (points scorers in bold)

George Russell - Mercedes

Charles Leclerc - Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari

Lando Norris - McLaren

Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes

Oscar Piastri - McLaren

Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls

Oliver Bearman - Haas

Max Verstappen - Red Bull

Esteban Ocon - Haas

Pierre Gasly - Alpine

Carlos Sainz - Williams

Gabriel Bortoleto - Audi

Franco Colapinto - Alpine

Isack Hadjar - Red Bull

Alex Albon - Williams

Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin

Lance Stroll - Aston Martin

Sergio Perez - Cadillac

DNF: Nico Hulkenberg - Audi; Valtteri Bottas - Cadillac; Arvid Lindblad - Racing Bulls