SHANGHAI — One other Method 1 race. Yet one more victory for Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The three-time defending champion received the Chinese language Grand Prix on Sunday ranging from pole, his fourth victory in 5 races this season and his twenty third within the final 27 extending by way of final season.
Solely a brake failure final month on the Australian GP in Melbourne most likely stored him from sweeping all 5.
Verstappen trailed for only some laps following a pit cease. Lando Norris of McLaren was about 14 seconds behind Verstappen in second — the eighth time he has been No. 2 in his profession as he nonetheless seeks his first victory. Verstappen’s Pink Bull teammate Sergio Perez was third.
The Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc, in fourth, and Carlos Sainz rounded out the highest 5, holding off Mercedes driver George Russell and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin in sixth and seventh, respectively.
The remainder of the factors finishers following on have been Oscar Piastri of McLaren, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg in tenth.
Verstappen now has 110 factors to guide the standings adopted by Perez (85), Leclerc (76), Sainz (69) and Norris (58).
“It felt amazing,” Verstappen mentioned. “All weekend we were incredibly quick and it was just enjoyable to drive. The car was basically on rails and I could do whatever I wanted to with it. Those kind of weekends are amazing to feel.”
Verstappen was requested if this was probably the most dominant victory of his profession.
“It was a good one, yeah,” he mentioned with out getting particular.
The subsequent GP is Miami on Might 5. Will Verstappen energy by way of that road race?
“Completely different track,” he mentioned. “Different tires. Different tarmac. So you never know.”
The saftey automobile got here out twice in the course of the race. As soon as after Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas stalled on the fringe of the monitor with a blown engine, and once more with two practically simultaneous incidents.
In a single, Kevin Magnuessen clipped Yuki Tsunoda, and within the different, Lance Stroll bumped into the again of Daniel Ricciardo.
Verstappen’s rule in F1 additionally prolonged to Saturday when he took the inaugural dash race of the season.
Verstappen, after profitable in Japan two weeks in the past, was essential of operating a dash in China. He hasn’t modified his thoughts very a lot — regardless of profitable.
“The sprint format was better,” Verstappen mentioned. “However let’s not overdo it as nicely. We’re already doing 24 races, six of those dash occasions as nicely. I get it. I assume it sells higher and higher numbers. But it surely’s additionally extra stress on the mechanics”
“We take it,” Verstappen added. “We’ve to take care of it. However that’s not a factor now the place we’d like 12 as a result of it’ll take its toll on folks as nicely.”
Norris echoed Verstappen.
“The main point is the toll it has on mechanics and engineers,” he mentioned. “I don’t suppose it’s too unhealthy for us as drivers, truthfully. I don’t suppose we might be those to complain in any respect. The lots of of mechanics and engineers right here that should journey a lot. It is not wholesome for them.”
This was the primary F1 race in China since 2019 when the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s clampdown worn out 4 races. Shanghai-born Zhou Guanyu completed 14th for Sauber, maybe his final likelihood to race at dwelling as groups subsequent season will shuffle their driver lineups.
He squatted on the tarmac after the race and lined his face, the gang thundering “Guanyu, Guanyu, Guanyu.”
The actual competitors in F1 for the remainder of the season seems to be for the half-dozen locations behind Verstappen and Perez. Mercedes’ George Russell referred to as it “a fight” for locations No. 3 by way of No. 8.
“Small differences can have a major impact,” Russell mentioned.
Domination is nothing new to F1. Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton dominated earlier than Verstappen got here alongside – Schumacher and Hamilton profitable seven season titles and Vettel 4.
It’s a great wager that Verstappen and Pink Bull will rule subsequent season. That may change in 2026 when new engine and chassis rules take impact in F1.
Miami will current a star paddock. There was additionally a parade of celebrities in China with former basketball star Yao Ming and double Olympic champion skier Eileen Gu posing for images within the paddock and on the monitor earlier than the beginning of the race.
