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F1 Chinese GP Live Commentary and Updates – Sprint Race & Qualifying
Saturday's action from the fifth round of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
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After five years away, F1 has returned to Shanghai and with it the first sprint race format of the 2024 season.
All teams had just the sole 60-minute practice session to get up to speed on Friday before sprint race qualifying, which ended dramatically as rain hit Q3 that mixed up the order.
The first sprint race of the season starts at 4am BST (11am local time) followed by grand prix qualifying at 8am BST (3pm local time).
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A lot of noise in and around Sainz's car as the Ferrari mechanics work to get him ready to return to the circuit. Red flag conditions remain for now as debris is collected.
Interestingly, Sainz has been able to get back going, spin the car around and start driving back to the pits. He could still be in the session here. A new front wing and set of fresh tyres will be needed though.
A nightmare for Sainz as he loops the Ferrari around and hits the barrier. The red flags are out with 6:44 left on the clock.
Red flag
There's dust and a car spinning at the exit of the final corner... it's Sainz!
Stopwatch
What a lap from Verstappen! A 1m33.946 - that thing was on rails!
He goes five-tenths faster than Norris, who's slotted into second.
He goes five-tenths faster than Norris, who's slotted into second.
It's Piastri behind that is setting the better sectors, that's until Verstappen comes along with the purple illuminating the timing screens.
Alonso is beaten by Piastri straight away to set the benchmark.
Alonso is beaten by Piastri straight away to set the benchmark.
The first of the heavy-hitters to set a lap will be Alonso in the Aston Martin. It looks like he has supreme grip through the first sector...
We have movement in the pits as almost everyone queuing for their space on track.
Quote
Hamilton team radio from Q1: "Sorry guys."
"No sweat Lewis," is the reply.
"No sweat Lewis," is the reply.
Green flag
Q2 is underway, but there is no great rush to get out on track.
The cars are back in the garage and those who have secured passage into Q2 are preparing for the second segment.
Hamilton's lock-up at the hairpin cost him six-tenths in the final sector compared to his team-mate alone.
The lap he was on was comfortably good enough for a Q2 spot.
The lap he was on was comfortably good enough for a Q2 spot.
Checkered flag
The drivers eliminated are as follows: Zhou, Magnussen, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Sargeant
Stopwatch
Verstappen went fastest in the midst of that bedlam, with Leclerc jumping to second.
Gasly gets into Q2, as does Ocon... Hamilton is OUT!
Hulkenberg goes fourth and Russell fifth.
Hamilton is now on the cusp...
Hamilton is now on the cusp...
Sargeant spun so will be eliminated as Hamilton locks up at the hairpin and runs wide!
He is in real trouble with only the 13th best time.
He is in real trouble with only the 13th best time.
Bottas slots fifth for Sauber. That should be good enough unless the track evolution is mesmerising.
Zhou goes ninth fastest but ran wide at the hairpin - this will be a nervy wait for the Chinese.
Zhou goes ninth fastest but ran wide at the hairpin - this will be a nervy wait for the Chinese.
The last runs are starting and the bottom five is currently: Zhou, Sargeant, Ricciardo, Hamilton and Magnussen.
Big pressure on Zhou and Hamilton in particular.
Big pressure on Zhou and Hamilton in particular.
Talking of Perez, race control has decided that no investigation is necessary following his complaints over the slow-moving Williams at Turn 1 a short while ago.
Stopwatch
Clean air on track sees Norris jump to the top by almost two-tenths to safely book his spot in the next session.
Perez crosses the line with the sixth-best time.
Perez crosses the line with the sixth-best time.
The majority of drivers are back in the pits with five minutes to go as the final runs in Q1 are prepared.
Ricciardo has asked RB to look for an issue at the front of his car having reported smoke on his last effort.
Ricciardo has asked RB to look for an issue at the front of his car having reported smoke on his last effort.
Stopwatch
The stormer for Sainz is complete - 0.044s is the gap between the Spaniard and Piastri at the top.
In the meantime, Russell has jumped to sixth, behind Albon.
Stopwatch
Piastri goes top by a tenth with a 1m35.014. But Sainz is on a stormer now switched to the softs.
Zhou's just popped up having reemerged from the pits and goes sixth.
There is still plenty of track evolution to come.
There is still plenty of track evolution to come.
Bottas has put in a stunner for Sauber to go third, albeit four-tenths down on the best lap from Alonso.
Stroll sits fourth, Leclerc fifth, Sargeant sixth and Ricciardo seventh.
Stroll sits fourth, Leclerc fifth, Sargeant sixth and Ricciardo seventh.
Stopwatch
The times are tumbling and Alonso goes top of the pile, with Verstappen coming across the line second to open his session.
Perez will have to try again after encountering a slow-moving Williams at Turn 1.
Perez will have to try again after encountering a slow-moving Williams at Turn 1.
Norris' first effort is solid, the McLaren driver only narrowly slower than Russell's benchmark.
Sargeant has been off track for Williams but continues unharmed.
Sargeant has been off track for Williams but continues unharmed.
Stopwatch
Russell goes fastest with a 1m36.436 as Magnussen goes second.
Sainz slots into fourth on a set of medium tyres.
Sainz slots into fourth on a set of medium tyres.
Gasly is the first to cross the line and is faster than Hulkenberg, Ocon and Tsunoda as Zhou dives straight into the pits.
RB driver Tsunoda complains of a DRS problem.
RB driver Tsunoda complains of a DRS problem.
Race control has noted Hulkenberg for his antics in the pits as the first flying laps begin.
Green flag
Qualifying is underway! There is already jostling in the pits as Hulkenberg muscles his way through the pack.
There's a queue of cars at the end of the pits, clearly drivers are eager to test any changes they have made between sessions.
The weather is much improved upon yesterday's sprint quali, so there's less chance of rain madness across the next hour.
Who do you think will be on pole? Can Verstappen be stopped? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels!
It was a dramatic sprint earlier and, if you joined us, you would know that Alonso and Sainz came together late on.
The Aston Martin driver retired but has been punished with a 10-second penalty and three penalty points.
The Aston Martin driver retired but has been punished with a 10-second penalty and three penalty points.
If Red Bull can carry its form from the sprint into the qualifying session, then it is hard to see anything but a 1-2 here for Verstappen and Perez.
Behind them, it's a complete lottery!
Behind them, it's a complete lottery!
A lot of work is being done by the teams ahead of qualifying after parc ferme was opened up after the sprint.
Leclerc's Ferrari is currently being laser scanned, while Piastri's McLaren is being feverishly worked on.
Leclerc's Ferrari is currently being laser scanned, while Piastri's McLaren is being feverishly worked on.
Hello and welcome back to coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
The sprint is in the past and now full focus turns to the main event, with qualifying for the grand prix just 15 minutes away.
The sprint is in the past and now full focus turns to the main event, with qualifying for the grand prix just 15 minutes away.
By: Autosport Staff
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