Formula1: relentless Verstappen dominates the Chinese GP, Norris second, Ferrari off the podium

John

By John

Max Verstappen dominates and wins the Chinese Grand Prix, achieving the fourth victory in the first five events of the season. Usual day at the office for the multiple Dutch Red Bull champion, never worried by anyone even at the start. Behind him was a great second place Lando Norris on McLaren, while the other Red Bull closes the podium Sergio Perez. Fourth and fifth place for the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Verstappen starts well and defends first place without problems starting to significantly lead on his rivals, while Alonso took second place from Perez only to then lose it again a few laps later. However, the two Ferraris had a bad start: Leclerc and Sainz lost two positions each, even slipping into 8th and 9th place, but as the laps went by they picked up the pace and climbed back up the slope well.

During the 21st round the engine of Bottas' car breaks, forcing him to first use the Virtual Safety Car regime., then to that of a real Safety Car due to problems in moving the car. The positions up front are mixed up a bit: Verstappen remains firmly in command, followed by Norris and Leclerc who get the better of Perez in the pit stop game. The Mexican manages to catch up on the Monegasque and return to the podium area, but is unable to reduce the gap on the Briton, author of a sensational race.