Max Verstappen comfortably wins Chinese Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton vents anger at Mercedes

Max Verstappen comfortably wins Chinese Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton vents anger at Mercedes

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 21/04/2024

- 09:50

Updated: 21/04/2024

- 10:15

Max Verstappen has now won four of the first five races this season.

Max Verstappen's dominance in F1 continued on Sunday with a dominant maiden victory at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Dutchman had breezed to victory in the spring race on Saturday after qualifying in fourth.


But he was back on top in qualifying for the main event, pipping Sergio Perez to pole.

As has been the case in every race Verstappen has finished this season, he never appeared in any trouble throughout the Grand Prix as he led from the first lap to the last.

Max Verstappen was out in front from the very first lap

Max Verstappen was out in front from the very first lap

GETTY

Once again, all the drama in the race happened behind Verstappen with Lewis Hamilton having an eventful afternoon.

The British racing superstar started 18th after a disastrous qualifying session and fell back one spot after the lights went out as the decision to start on the softs backfired.

He repeatedly moaned on team radio that the car wasn't working for him and vented his frustrations about the choice of tyres to start.

Hamilton added: "The car’s just sliding around everywhere. It’s like something’s broken. It’s probably this balance. It’s really bad."

His fortunes improved midway through the race when two safety cars were deployed following chaos out on track.

The first safety car restart saw Kevin Magnussen drive into the side of Yuki Tsunoda while there was another incident involving Lance Stroll and Daniel Ricciardo.

The Aston Martin driver didn't notice the train of cars in front of him slowing and drove into the back of Ricciardo, lifting the RB car into the air.

The second safety car restart was clean with Hamilton climbing up to 11th while Lando Norris was keeping tabs with Verstappen at the front.

Lewis Hamilton struggled at the start

Lewis Hamilton struggled at the start

GETTY

Ricciardo's damaged car helped Hamilton move up into the points before he gained one more position to finish a respectable ninth.

Out in front, Norris was unable to catch Verstappen but the McLaren driver was able to comfortably hold off Sergio Perez to clinch second.

Norris' second-place finish clearly came as a surprise to him as he initially thought the Ferraris would be far ahead of them.

"I don't know why, it was not the race I was expecting to have today, but just got comfortable and could manage the tyres a lot, which was an easier task than what I could have yesterday," he said.

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Lando Norris put in a stellar performance to clinch second

Lando Norris put in a stellar performance to clinch second

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"And I could just push, the car felt great and I felt comfortable. So a good day, good points, and another podium. So very happy.

"I was surprised by many things: the lack of pace from Ferrari, our good pace, and I guess us comparing to the Red Bull which was so surprising.

"I just wasn't expecting today. I got everything ready to go home early and not be on the podium, so it's a pleasant surprise. But it shows the team have done a good job, have worked hard and it's paying off.

"I made a bet how far behind the Ferrari we would finish today. I thought 35s - and I was very wrong by that. So happy to be wrong with myself, and my own bets, but a good day for everyone."

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