:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/GUZMISVJOVELNNH4HJ4I367FWA.jpg "Verstappen wins the 1st sprint race of the season in F1")
SHANGHAI (AP) — Max Verstappen continued his dominance in Formula 1 on Saturday, taking the first sprint race of the season – the lead-up to the full-fledged Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Dutchman overtook Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton on the ninth of 19 laps and stretched his lead to win 13 seconds ahead of the Briton. The Mexican Sergio Pérez, Vestappen’s Red Bull teammate, was third and the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, finished fourth.
“The first few laps were hectic,” Verstappen said. “As soon as I got the lead the car behaved pretty well.”
It was his eighth victory in a Formula 1 sprint.
Verstappen is a three-time defending Formula 1 champion, and looks almost invincible in any format.
He now has 85 points, to lead the drivers’ championship. Pérez is second with 70, followed by Leclerc with 64 and the Spanish Carlos Sáinz, from Ferrari, with 59.
Second place was a consolation prize for Hamilton. The seven-time champion has not been a factor in recent seasons. His last victory in a grand prix was in 2021 in Saudi Arabia in the penultimate race of the season.
“I forgot what it felt like to be ahead,” Hamilton said. “I felt good for the short time I had it. “I was grateful for the moment.”
Verstappen is the favorite to win the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, the fifth race of the season. He has won three of the first four Grands Prix, and 22 of the last 26.
There are six Formula 1 sprint races for this season. They comprise approximately one-third of the distance of a full race. Eight points are awarded to the winner, seven to second place, six to third, and so on.
Saturday’s race was run on a dry track, unlike the wet and slippery conditions during Friday’s qualifying session.