MOTORSPORT: Verstappen on top in Chinese GP

There were few surprises at the Shanghai International Circuit as the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix returned on the weekend after a four-year hiatus from the F1 world championship with a Max Verstappen victory sweep.

After claiming the first F1 Sprint of the season on Saturday, the Red Bull driver dominated Sunday’s main event, despite mid-race safety cars closing the persuing pack.

For Verstappen, his fourth win from five events this year was another ominous result for the competition.

“It felt amazing,” said Verstappen.

“All weekend, I think we were incredibly quick; it was just enjoyable to drive every single [tyre] compound as well.

“At the restarts, I think we survived that well.

“The car was basically on rails, so I could do whatever I wanted to with it, and those kinds of weekends are, of course, amazing to feel.”

Lando Norris’ (McLaren) F1 Sprint pole position didn’t count for much after he ran wide at the opening corner, paving the way for Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) to lead from Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Verstappen.

Verstappen flexed his muscle mid-race to power into the lead as a train of cars formed for the minor placings.

As the race heated up, Alonso dropped back and ultimately suffered a puncture.

At the conclusion of 19 laps, Verstappen claimed the win from Hamilton, Sergio Perez (Red Bull), and then the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Of the Australians, Oscar Piastri (McLaren) finished seventh and Daniel Ricciardo (RB) 11th in an improved performance.

At the start of the Grand Prix proper, Verstappen led away from pole position ahead of Alonso and Perez, although the Mexican displaced Alonso after five of 56 laps.

Norris found himself in the lead after running long at the first pit stop, however, Verstappen passed the Brit on lap 19 to gain the ascendency.

The complexion of the race shifted on lap 21 when Valtteri Bottas’ Stake expired on the circuit.

This necessitated a virtual safety car on lap 22, which turned into a full safety car on the next circuit, resulting in a rush to complete pit stops.

Verstappen led Norris and Leclerc at the lap 27 restart, although prior to the green flag waving a concertina at the end of the back straight saw Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) plough into the back of Ricciardo, who nudged Piastri.

The washup saw Ricciardo retire with damage, while Piastri slowed for the remainder of the race and Stroll was penalised 10 seconds.

More bad news came for Ricciardo post-race, with stewards imposing a three-grid place penalty for the next race after he allegedly passed Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas under the safety car.

The race, however, didn’t stay green for long, with Kevin Magnussen (Haas) coming to blows with Yuki Tsunoda (RB), who retired before the safety car was swiftly redeployed.

Once the race settled down, Perez made his way onto the podium by passing Leclerc on lap 39.

At the chequered flag, Verstappen scored the victory by 13sec from Norris, Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, George Russell (Mercedes), Alonso, Piastri and Hamilton, who drove through from the rear of the field after being eliminated in the first leg of qualifying, with Hulkenberg rounding out the points finishers.

Next up on the F1 schedule is the Miami Grand Prix on May 5. The race will start at 6:00am AEST on Monday, May 6.

2024 Chinese Grand Prix results:

2024 Formula 1 championship standings:

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