Exciting first laps, the usual strong and collected Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and McLaren becoming increasingly potent challengers - that's how Saturday's sprint was!
The start was not normal either, as the race management had it repeated. This did not bother Max Verstappen, who got off to a perfect start from the first grid, but the two McLarens behind him also started similarly well. So much so that Lando Norris closed in on the Red Bull lap after lap, and then from a not-so-ideal position he jumped in and overtook it.
It was all a matter of time, because Verstappen was in a good position to fight back, and with a nice maneuver he immediately regained the lead. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri behind the wheel of the other McLaren took advantage of his teammate's mistake to move up to second place, but he was nowhere near as much pressure on Verstappen. Mercedes struggled further back and, thanks to George Russell, closed behind the immediate leaders. The main picture did not change in the end, Max Verstappen easily won the sprint ahead of the two McLarens, but Lando Norris' speed and fighting form are promising for the future.
