Verstappen, Perez and the Formula 1 Drivers With the Most Sprint Race Points Ahead of the Chinese GP

• The 2024 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix is set to feature the first Sprint race of the season
• Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing fancy their chances of clinching victory at the Sprint
• Sports Brief spotlights the drivers with the most points in a sprint race ahead of the Chinese GP

The first Sprint race of the 2024 season is definitely going to be a thriller of an event, if the outcome recorded at the qualifying session is anything to go by.

The qualifying session, which had Mother Nature adding the most unlikely of twists with a trackside fire and eventually unexpected rainfall, would eventually see Lando Norris and McLaren Racing claim pole position in the most controversial of manners.

The 25-year-old quite surprisingly lines up on the front row with Mercedes AMG's Lewis Hamilton, who had been largely underwhelming until the final qualifying session of the Sprint race.

Who is the best NASCAR driver? Ranking the 15 best NASCAR drivers of all time

Other Sports

Nonetheless, amid all these twists, the Chinese GP sprint has treated fans so far. It has to be underscored that since the introduction of the Sprint races, Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen boast the most points recorded at the Saturday event.

With the first of the six scheduled Sprint races of 2024 upon us, Sports Brief highlights a list of drivers with the most points in this unique format race.

Formula drivers with the most Sprint race points

Max Verstappen - 73

The Dutch driver, who boasts the most victories since the advent of the Sprint race, also leads the tally for the total number of points recorded in the 100km race.

Verstappen won four of the six Sprints held in 2023 and scored points in every Sprint. The 26-year-old starts his first Sprint race of 2024 in fourth place but remains the favourite to clinch victory.

Top 10 biggest upsets in sports history: Best underdog wins

Other Sports

Carlos Sainz - 41

The Ferrari driver might still be without a Sprint race victory, but he undoubtedly knows how to rack up impressive points in the special format races. With a whopping 41 points scored, the 29-year-old is ahead of Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, in the pecking order. Sainz’s incredible form in 2024 makes the likelihood of him clinching a podium place at the end of the Sprint very plausible.

Sergio Perez - 39

Checo, as he is fondly referred to, last claimed a win at the Sprint at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The 33-year-old also finished on the podium in a couple of other Sprint races throughout 2023. With his contract set to run out at the end of the season and given his incredible form, Perez is tipped to add significant points to his total Sprint points tally.

Charles Leclerc - 31

The Ferrari driver is another who has often been successful in Sprint races. Though the Monegasque is yet to clinch a victory in a Sprint race, his Sprint podium finishes have so far boosted his points in the special format race to 31. The former Sauber driver will undoubtedly fancy his chances of clinching victory at this weekend’s edition of the race.

Ranking the 15 best pole vaulters in the world right now

Other Sports

Drivers with the most Sprint race victories

In another report, Sports Brief compiled a list of Formula 1 drivers with the most Sprint race victories.

The list featured George Russell and Stake F1 Kick Sauber driver, Valtteri Bottas.