Max Verstappen wins 2024 Chinese GP; Norris takes second
Max Verstappen won the 2024 Chinese GP. Despite safety cars and incidents, he secured his fourth win of the season, followed by Norris, Perez, Leclerc, and Sainz.
The 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, the fifth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, took place in Shanghai with Red Bull's Max Verstappen starting from pole position.
At the start, Verstappen led the charge to Turn 1, while Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso overtook Sergio Perez for second place.
Perez managed to hold off Lando Norris for third.
As the race progressed, Perez reclaimed second place from Alonso on lap five, and Norris passed Alonso for third.
Charles Leclerc moved up to fifth by overtaking Oscar Piastri and George Russell.
Verstappen and Perez pitted for hard tyres, briefly promoting Norris to the lead.
Safety Cars
On lap 21, Valtteri Bottas's Sauber broke down, causing a virtual safety car, followed by a full safety car.
Verstappen pitted for fresh hard tyres, while Alonso switched to soft tyres. At the restart, Lance Stroll collided with Daniel Ricciardo, damaging the latter's car and forcing him to retire.
Yuki Tsunoda's car was eliminated after a clash with Kevin Magnussen, prompting another safety car.
Closing Stages
In the closing stages, Perez overtook Leclerc for third, and Lewis Hamilton, who started 18th, battled his way into the points.
Alonso made a second pit stop for medium tyres and charged back through the field.
Verstappen secured his fourth win of the year, followed by Norris, Perez, Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and Russell. Alonso finished seventh, setting the fastest lap, ahead of Piastri, Hamilton, and Nico Hulkenberg.
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