Calm like Max Verstappen. China resisted him so the Dutchman hit hard this weekend and scored a hat-trick (sprint, pole and Grand Prix victory).
The three-time reigning world champion was ultra-dominant on the Shanghai track, despite a race disrupted by two safety cars, to score a 58th career success and the fourth of the season, already, in five races. Lando Norris (McLaren) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull) complete the podium.
The Batavian Ogre was hungry on Sunday and he left no room for doubt. On pole and accompanied by his teammate on the first row, Verstappen managed the start perfectly while Perez was overtaken by a very aggressive Alonso from the outside. A simple setback for the Mexican who quickly took second place to start the Red Bull parade? Not really.
While the Red Bulls escaped in front, Norris took third place against Alonso lacking regular pace. Up front, the Red Bulls, using a two-stop strategy, got the ball rolling with a perfect double stop on the 13th lap. Norris and Leclerc remained on the track to attempt the one stop. Verstappen regained the lead regularly with his new tires but two safety cars would upset the monotony of the race.
On lap 23, Valtteri Bottas stopped, let go by his engine. The safety car was deployed and allowed Norris and Leclerc to make their single stop with minimal loss of time. The perfect shot. The two Red Bulls also took the opportunity to make their second stop. Perez was then the loser of the affair, finding himself 4th behind Norris and Leclerc. On lap 27 the race was restarted for…one lap as Kevin Magnussen sent Yuki Tsunoda flying and Lance Stroll speared Daniel Ricciardo, causing the two Racing Bulls to retire. New safety car and new grouping therefore.
Nothing to scare Verstappen, who managed the restart to go away for twenty parade laps until victory. Quickly, Norris broke away to validate his second position and Perez took some time to overtake Leclerc for third and validate the double Red Bull podium. A little behind, Sainz finished 5th. On a three-stop strategy, Alonso, unleashed at the end of the race, took 7th place. Great comeback for Hamilton, from 18th to 9th position. Finally, a word about Alpine. The Blues showed some positive signals but Esteban Ocon finished 11th and Pierre Gasly 13th. Still no point for the French.
1.Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)
the 305.066 km in 1 h 40:52.554
2.Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) at 13,773
3.Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) at 19,160
4.Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) at 23.623
5.Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) at 33,983
6.George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) at 38,724
7.Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) at 43,414
8.Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) at 59,198
9.Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) at 57,986
10.Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) at 1:00.476
11.Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) at 1:02.812
12.Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) at 1:05.506
13.Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) at 1:09.223
14.Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber-Ferrari) at 1:11.689
15.Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) at 1:22.786
16.Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) at 1:27.533
17.Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) at 1:35.110
Best lap in the race: Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:37.810 on lap 45 (average: 200.630 km/h)
Abandons:
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber-Ferrari): engine 20th lap
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls-Red Bull): accident 27e tour
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Racing Bulls-Red Bull): mechanical problem 34th lap
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