In dry conditions – compared to the squall that appeared in the final part of Sprint Qualifying on Friday afternoon – Lando Norris led the field away from pole position for the Shanghai Sprint… but his lead wouldn’t last long.
With Lewis Hamilton launching well from P2 on the unfavoured right side of the grid at the Shanghai International Circuit, Norris and Hamilton braved it out side-by-side through the 270-degree Turn 1-2 complex.
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the F1 Sprint in China
But it all went wrong for Norris as he suffered an oversteer moment and ran wide, allowing Hamilton to take the lead from Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen, and dropping Norris to P7.
Watch the Sprint start in the video above.
Next Up
Related Articles
Mercedes braced for a ‘more intense’ second half to 2026
BettingCan F1 bettors still find value backing Antonelli?
The hidden team of experts behind every F1 star
UnlockedInside the F1 driver's bubble: The sports psychologist
UnlockedDamon Hill's 1996 title-winning season remembered
How Haas’ 2026 season has played out so far