On F1’s return to the Shanghai Worldwide Circuit for the primary time since 2019, Verstappen cemented his place because the runaway factors chief with a lights-to-flag win within the RB20.
Norris loved a robust run to second, leaving Sergio Perez to accept third within the different Purple Bull.
The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz occupied fourth and fifth positions, forward of the lead Mercedes of George Russell.
Our writers give their verdict on the fifth spherical of the 2024 season.
Combined emotions after one other Max masterclass: 5/10 – Filip Cleeren
A lot as I can’t assist being in awe of one in all Max Verstappen’s most dominant performances to date, which is saying lots given the run he’s on, I may not assist being underwhelmed by the season to date. The Chinese language Grand Prix was no totally different, even when skirmishes in midfield livened up the plot. This race was completely crying out for a security automobile to spice issues up. After which we received one, and the highest three nonetheless drove off into the space with massive gaps in between…
Shanghai’s distinctive structure and Tarmac coating threw up some intriguing surprises, similar to McLaren’s Lando Norris blowing away the struggling Ferraris. That perhaps will get it a greater rating than the race actually deserved, however it’s annoying that just about each grand prix appears to have a transparent second-fastest group moderately than a extra intense battle behind the sovereign Verstappen.
Even with security automobiles and clashes, lack of motion on the entrance is the foremost downside: 5/10 – Haydn Cobb
A race with two security automobiles, a number of clashes, technique variation and loads of overtakes ought to give the Chinese language GP a better rating. However, when all that solely impacts the underside half of the pack, it blunts the sting and subsequent pleasure. Certain, Lando Norris splitting the Purple Bulls and the one-stoppers figuring out is one thing, however not memorable sufficient to provide it a better rating.
Shanghai exhibits good racing is feasible with present automobiles: 6/10 – Ben Vinel
This was arguably one of the best grand prix to date this season, though the bar has admittedly been very low. Max Verstappen gave one other masterclass on the entrance of the sphere, dealing with the race completely; he was by no means threatened on the security automobile restarts.
Nonetheless, behind him, there have been many attention-grabbing fights, together with within the prime 10. Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll battling it out in the back of the sphere could not have had a lot at stake, but it surely was one of the best wheel-to-wheel motion we have seen all yr. Such spectacular racing was all the time a function of the Shanghai Worldwide Circuit; seeing it in the present day proves that current-generation F1 automobiles – which had by no means raced there as a result of COVID-19 pandemic – are fairly able to overtaking one another in sure circumstances, regardless of normally falling wanting their targets in that space.
Momentum in F1 2024 is slowly increase: 6/10 – Rachit Thukral
It appeared just like the Chinese language Grand Prix could be one other normal F1 affair till the mid-race drama injected some much-needed life into the race.
Whereas removed from a thriller, there was loads of motion up and down the sphere, and the overtaking strikes weren’t simply restricted to DRS zones. There have been additionally some foolish incidents, clashes and technique variations, plus a healthful second for residence hero Zhou Guanyu to cap all of it off.
Max Verstappen’s dominance did take away some shine from the race, however the truth that two successive security automobile intervals bunched up the sphere and introduced some pleasure proved that it gained’t be too lengthy earlier than F1 2024 delivers an absolute nail-biter.