The Dutch driver essentially won the Chinese Grand Prix start-to-finish, and in two weeks he can further increase his advantage at the Miami Grand Prix.
Hungarian time, the Chinese Grand Prix, returning after 2019, started with a 56-lap race on Sunday morning. Max Verstappen started from the front in Shanghai, then after the green lights flashed, he kept the leading position, Alonso however, he overtook him from 3rd Perezthen in the 5th round the Mexican overtook the Spaniard.
The first major incident of note occurred in lap 15 when Pierre Gasly he went out to change a tire, and in the process his right rear wheel flew off, hitting one of the Alpine mechanics. Based on the radio broadcast, the crew member escaped the incident unharmed.
On lap 21, Bottas retired due to engine failure. His technique was not in the best place, the track workers struggled for minutes until they were able to push his car away, finally the FIA decided after a short time in favor of the virtual safety car phase, and then in the 24th lap the real safety car appeared.
After the stops, Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Perez, SainzAlonso, Russell, Piastri, Ricciardo and Stroll had the order of the top ten, so they drove one after the other behind the safety car, until on the 27th lap, just before the restart, in the high position Stroll collided with Ricciardo, and Cunoda and Magnussen also had a puncture – the safety car came back again.
The safety car came out at the end of lap 31, then Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Pérez, Alonso, Sainz, Russell, Piastri, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Ocon, Albon, Sargeant, Csou, The order was Gasly, Magnussen and Stroll.
However, Ricciardo’s car was damaged by that collision, so he abandoned the race on lap 34.
On the 44th lap, Alonso – who, as we remember, came up to second place after the start and then switched to soft tires – had to stop again because his tires ran out. By the time he got back up after changing the wheel, he was already avoiding the points-scoring places, but immediately started to catch up. In the great effort, the Spaniard then made a huge save in the 50th lap after a slip, then encouraged by this, he overtook Hamilton and Piastri at the end of the 50th lap.
In the 54th round Chow its flying wing tip and its debris caused alarm. Verstappen also drove through it, then asked his mechanics how the condition of the wheel was, but escaped the puncture.
In the end, Max Verstappen took the start-finish victory ahead of Norris and Perez. Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton and Hülkenberg also scored points. The bonus point for the fastest lap went to Alonso.
Verstappen leads the world championship with 110 points, Pérez (85 points). In two weeks, he can further increase his advantage at the Miami Grand Prix.
Tags: Max Verstappen brilliant victory Shanghai
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