Our writers rate the 2024 F1 Chinese Grand Prix



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 powerful run to second, leaving Sergio Perez to accept third within the different Purple Bull.

The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz occupied positions fourth and fifth, forward of the lead Mercedes of George Russell.

Our writers give their verdict on the fifth spherical of the 2024 season.

Blended emotions after one other Max masterclass: 5/10 – Filip Cleeren

A lot as I can not assist being in awe of considered one of Max Verstappen’s most dominant performances to date, which is saying lots given the run he’s on, I also can 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 automotive to spice issues up. After which we received one, and the highest three nonetheless drove off into the gap with massive gaps in between…

Shanghai’s distinctive structure and tarmac coating threw up some intriguing surprises, equivalent 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 nearly each race appears to have a transparent second-fastest staff reasonably than a extra intense struggle behind the sovereign Verstappen.

Even with security automobiles and clashes, lack of motion on the entrance is the key drawback: 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. Positive, Lando Norris splitting the Purple Bulls and the one-stoppers understanding 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 the most effective 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 sector, dealing with the race completely; he was by no means threatened within the security automotive restarts.

Nevertheless, behind him, there have been many fascinating fights, together with within the high 10. Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll battling it out behind the sector might not have had a lot at stake, however it was the most effective wheel-to-wheel motion we have seen all 12 months. Such spectacular racing was all the time a characteristic of the Shanghai Worldwide Circuit; seeing it right now proves that current-generation F1 automobiles – which had by no means raced there because of the COVID-19 pandemic – are fairly able to overtaking each other in sure circumstances, regardless of normally falling wanting their targets in that space.

Momentum in F1 2024 is slowly build up: 6/10 – Rachit Thukral

It appeared just like the Chinese language Grand Prix could be one other commonplace 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 sector, 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 house 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 automotive intervals bunched up the sector and introduced some pleasure proved that it gained’t be too lengthy earlier than F1 2024 delivers an absolute nail-biter.

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