Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the inaugural sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. The Mercedes driver delivered a blistering lap in qualifying, edging out his championship rival by just 0.06 seconds.

The sprint race format, introduced this season in select races, saw Hamilton and Leclerc battle it out in a thrilling showdown. The pair traded fastest laps throughout the short 100km race, with Hamilton ultimately crossing the finish line first.

Despite Leclerc's best efforts, Hamilton's experience and skill shone through as he claimed victory in the sprint race, positioning himself for success in the main event on Sunday. Ferrari, meanwhile, will be looking to regroup and come back stronger in the race itself.

Hamilton's performance in the sprint race further cements his status as a dominant force in Formula 1, with the six-time world champion showing no signs of slowing down. As the season heats up, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari as they continue their battle for supremacy on the track.