Another System 1 race. One more victory for Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen. The three-time defending champion gained 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 final season.
Solely a brake failure final month on the Australian GP in Melbourne most likely saved him from sweeping all 5.
Verstappen trailed for just a few 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 Purple Bull teammate Sergio Perez was third.
China F1 GP Auto Racing Winner Purple Bull driver Max Verstappen podium McLaren Lando Norris Sergio Perez Chinese language System One Grand Prix Shanghai Worldwide Circuit
“It felt superb,” Verstappen stated. “All weekend we had been extremely fast and it was simply gratifying to drive. The automobile was principally on rails and I may do no matter I needed to with it. These type of weekends are superb to really feel.”
The saftey automobile got here out twice in the midst of the race. As soon as after Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas stalled on the fringe of the observe with a blown engine, and once more with two almost simeltaneous incidents.
In a single, Kevin Magnussen clipped Yuki Tsunoda, and within the different, Lance Stroll bumped into the again of Daniel Ricciardo.
China F1 GP Auto Racing Winner Purple Bull driver Max Verstappen Sergio Perez Chinese language System One Grand Prix Shanghai Worldwide Circuit
Verstappen’s rule in F1 additionally prolonged to Saturday when he took the inaugural dash race of the season.
This was the primary F1 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.
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 struggle” for locations No. 3 by No. 8. “Small variations can have a significant impression,” Russell stated.
China F1 GP Auto Racing
Domination is nothing new to F1. Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton dominated earlier than Verstappen got here alongside – Schumacher and Hamilton successful seven season titles and Vettel 4.
It is a good wager that Verstappen and Purple Bull will rule subsequent season. Which may change in 2026 when new engine and chassis rules take impact in F1.
The subsequent GP is Miami on Might 5 the place it is usually a star present. 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 observe earlier than the beginning of the race.
