First of all, Fernando Alonso was able to prevent a double success within the team in Formula 1 in 2024, as the routine driver of Aston Martin started behind the Red Bulls. An exciting battle could be expected between the two McLarens and the two Ferraris, surprisingly Carlos Sainz, who has performed excellently so far this season, started from the very back, seventh place. Most of the local audience trusted Chou Kuan-jue, who entered his home competition from 16th place, the for the Chinese Grand Prix. This is how the entire starting grid was painted:
Although Alonso overtook Sergio Pérez, the two-time world champion could not hold on for long. Not only did the Mexican overtake him, but Lando Norris also pushed him behind him. Sainz also lost a position, but what was even more surprising was that some of them (Juki Cunoda, Csou and Logan Sargeant) were already first ten rounds by the end they were past their first tire change.
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Not long after, the members of the front row – with the exception of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc – went through the pit stop, and even Max Verstappen in the 19th round he was driving again. Ferrari’s Monaco and McLaren’s Brit took advantage of a virtual safety car phase to change wheels, which was due to Valtteri Bottas’ elimination.
Race management finally decided in favor of the safety car, which made Verstappen’s huge advantage unnecessary in seconds. When the SC was called in, several members of the field were careless when stepping on the gas: for example, Lance Stroll ran into Daniel Ricciardo from behind. Kevin Magnussen collided with Cunoda – both had punctures, the latter gave up the race – so another safety phase followed, which in the 32nd round ended.
The following laps were mostly about the battle between Pérez and Leclerc. It was important for the Red Bull driver to get past the Ferrari as soon as possible, because he even had to chase down Norris for second place. The first task in the 39th round fulfilled by the Mexican. Ricciardo tried to continue for a long time compared to his crash, but ended the race prematurely.
In the next ten laps, Alonso took the lead role. The oldest member of the field first corrected his own mistake during an acceleration, and then started overtaking: the for lap 50 He overtook Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri, and even ran the fastest lap worth an extra point in seventh place.
In the end, Pérez couldn’t catch Norris, who finished in second place with a great performance Verstappen behind. The two Ferraris followed Leclerc and Sainz in that order. The speeding circus returns in two weeks in Miami.
FINAL RESULT OF THE CHINA RACE:
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