Chinese Grand Prix F1 2026: George Russell Takes the Top Spot as Ferrari Duo Secure P2 and P3
George Russell maintained his early-season dominance as he followed last weekend's Australian win with a pole finish at the Shanghai Sprint on March 14, 2026. Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished P2 and P3, respectively. Russell and Hamilton were going neck-and-neck in the first few laps, but then Russell pulled away remarkably, leaving Hamilton fading behind. Meanwhile, four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who has openly displayed his resentment against the radical changes in F1, finished in 9th spot in the race, more than 11 seconds behind Russell.
Winner Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain waves after the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong
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Winner Mercedes driver George Russell, center, of Britain poses with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, left, second place, of Monaco and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, third place, of Britain after the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong
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Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain crosses the finish line and wins the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong, Pool
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Mercedes driver George Russell, left, of Britain against Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, left, of Monaco against Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Haas driver Oliver Bearman, left, of Britain leads the pack against Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar, right, of France and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, left, of Britain races against teammate Charles Leclerc of Monaco during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, left, of Italy and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia out of the pits during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Andy Wong, Pool
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Mercedes driver George Russell, right, of Britain leads Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the Sprint Race of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian