Verstappen and the Formula 1 Driver With the Most Sprint Race Wins Ahead of the 2024 Chinese GP

• The Formula 1 season continues with the fifth race of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix
• The race at the Shanghai International Circuit is set to feature the first Sprint of the season
• Sports Brief spotlights the drivers with the most Sprint race victories ahead of the Chinese GP

Formula 1's controversial Sprint race format makes its first appearance in 2024 at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.

The Formula 1 Sprint is a 'mini race' that sees drivers on the grid participate in a 100km race on Saturday afternoon, ahead of the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Sprint weekends are often dubbed as complicated and hectic for drivers, as teams are subject to only having one practice session to set up their cars ahead of qualifying and the main event.

Since the introduction of the Sprint races, Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen have made a habit of claiming victory at the Saturday event, and with the first of the six scheduled Sprint races of 2024 upon us, Sports Brief spotlights a list of drivers with the most victories at the special format race.

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Drivers with the most victories at the most Sprint victories

Max Verstappen — Seven

The Dutch driver and Red Bull Racing have held Formula 1 by the core since the transition to the ground effect era in 2020. The three-time world champion boasts of seven Sprint race victories, with his first coming at the 2021 British Grand Prix and the last being the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.

Verstappen is the odds-on favourite to clinch victory at the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Valterri Bottas — Two

The Kick Sauber Stake F1 driver ranks second on the list of drivers with the most Sprint race victories.

The Finnish driver secured both of his wins during the 2021 season, at the Italian Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix, while driving for Mercedes AMG. However, Bottas has not tasted victory in any Formula 1 competition since departing from the Brackley team.

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George Russell — One

The Mercedes AMG driver secured his only career Sprint win at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. The former Williams Racing driver then went on to clinch his first career race victory at the Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton on race Sunday.

Sergio Perez — One

The Mexican driver is also among those who have claimed victory at a Sprint race since its inception in 2021. The 33-year-old stormed to a commanding victory at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Checo, as he is fondly called, would go on to complete a 'grand slam' of a weekend with a race victory and the fastest lap on race Sunday. He is the only driver who appears capable of stopping Verstappen from claiming victory at this weekend's Sprint.

Oscar Piastri — One

The young Australian driver is another one who boasts of winning at the Sprint races. The 23-year-old stormed to victory at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, thanks to the wet weather conditions.

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The two-time F1 rookie remains the only Mc Laren Racing driver to have recorded any form of victory in Formula 1 since Daniel Ricciardo at the Italian Grand Prix in 2021.

Chinese Grand Prix preview and predictions

In a previous report, Sports Brief highlighted an extensive preview of the Formula 1 Chinese GP.

The sport returns to the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time since the 2019 season.