As F1 returned to the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time since 2019, Verstappen consolidated his position as the undisputed points leader with a lights-to-flag victory in the RB20.
Norris had a strong run to second, leaving Sergio Perez to settle for third in the other Red Bull.
The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz occupied fourth and fifth positions, ahead of the leading Mercedes of George Russell.
Our editors give their verdict on the fifth round of the 2024 season.
Mixed feelings after another masterclass Max: 5/10 – Filip Cleeren
While I can’t help but be impressed by one of Max Verstappen’s most dominant performances so far, which is saying a lot considering his track record, I also can’t help but ‘be disappointed with the season so far. The Chinese Grand Prix was no different, although midfield skirmishes brightened up the intrigue. This race absolutely called for a safety car to spice things up. And then we had one, and the first three always went far away with big gaps between them…
Shanghai’s unique layout and tarmac surface provided some intriguing surprises, such as McLaren’s Lando Norris blowing away the struggling Ferraris. Perhaps that gives him a better score than the race really deserved, but it’s annoying that almost every grand prix seems to have a clear second-fastest team rather than a more intense fight behind the sovereign Verstappen.
Even with the safety cars and collisions, the lack of action at the front remains the major problem: 5/10 – Haydn Cobb
A race with two safety cars, multiple clashes, strategy variations and plenty of overtaking should give the Chinese GP a higher score. But when all that only impacts the bottom half of the field, it blunts the advantage and the resulting excitement. Sure, Lando Norris splitting the Red Bulls and the one-stoppers practicing is something, but not memorable enough to give it a higher score.
Shanghai shows that a good race is possible with current cars: 6/10 – Ben Vinel
This is arguably the best Grand Prix of the season so far, although the bar is admittedly very low. Max Verstappen gave another masterclass at the front of the peloton, managing the race perfectly; he was never threatened during safety car restarts.
However, behind him there were many interesting fights, including inside the top 10. Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll going head-to-head at the back of the field may not have had much at stake, but it was the best wheel-to-wheel duel. we saw all year round. Such spectacular races have always been a feature of the Shanghai International Circuit; Seeing it today proves that current-generation F1 cars – which had never raced there due to the COVID-19 pandemic – are fully capable of surpassing themselves in certain circumstances, even if they fail generally fail to achieve their goals in this area.
Dynamics in F1 2024 are slowly building: 6/10 – Racit Thukral
It looked like the Chinese Grand Prix would be another standard F1 affair until mid-race drama breathed some much-needed life into the race.
Although far from a thriller, there was plenty of action on the pitch, and overtaking wasn’t limited to the DRS zones. There were also a few silly incidents, clashes, and strategy variations, plus a wholesome moment for local hero Zhou Guanyu to top it all off.
Max Verstappen’s dominance did take some of the shine off the race, but the fact that two successive safety car periods brought the field together and brought some excitement proved that it won’t be long before F1 2024 delivers real bite.
As F1 returned to the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time since 2019, Verstappen consolidated his position as the undisputed points leader with a lights-to-flag victory in the RB20.
Norris had a strong run to second, leaving Sergio Perez to settle for third in the other Red Bull.
The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz occupied fourth and fifth positions, ahead of the leading Mercedes of George Russell.
Our editors give their verdict on the fifth round of the 2024 season.
Mixed feelings after another masterclass Max: 5/10 – Filip Cleeren
While I can’t help but be impressed by one of Max Verstappen’s most dominant performances so far, which is saying a lot considering his track record, I also can’t help but ‘be disappointed with the season so far. The Chinese Grand Prix was no different, although midfield skirmishes brightened up the intrigue. This race absolutely called for a safety car to spice things up. And then we had one, and the first three always went far away with big gaps between them…
Shanghai’s unique layout and tarmac surface provided some intriguing surprises, such as McLaren’s Lando Norris blowing away the struggling Ferraris. Perhaps that gives him a better score than the race really deserved, but it’s annoying that almost every grand prix seems to have a clear second-fastest team rather than a more intense fight behind the sovereign Verstappen.
Even with the safety cars and collisions, the lack of action at the front remains the major problem: 5/10 – Haydn Cobb
A race with two safety cars, multiple clashes, strategy variations and plenty of overtaking should give the Chinese GP a higher score. But when all that only impacts the bottom half of the field, it blunts the advantage and the resulting excitement. Sure, Lando Norris splitting the Red Bulls and the one-stoppers practicing is something, but not memorable enough to give it a higher score.
Shanghai shows that a good race is possible with current cars: 6/10 – Ben Vinel
This is arguably the best Grand Prix of the season so far, although the bar is admittedly very low. Max Verstappen gave another masterclass at the front of the peloton, managing the race perfectly; he was never threatened during safety car restarts.
However, behind him there were many interesting fights, including inside the top 10. Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll going head-to-head at the back of the field may not have had much at stake, but it was the best wheel-to-wheel duel. we saw all year round. Such spectacular races have always been a feature of the Shanghai International Circuit; Seeing it today proves that current-generation F1 cars – which had never raced there due to the COVID-19 pandemic – are fully capable of surpassing themselves in certain circumstances, even if they fail generally fail to achieve their goals in this area.
Dynamics in F1 2024 are slowly building: 6/10 – Racit Thukral
It looked like the Chinese Grand Prix would be another standard F1 affair until mid-race drama breathed some much-needed life into the race.
Although far from a thriller, there was plenty of action on the pitch, and overtaking wasn’t limited to the DRS zones. There were also a few silly incidents, clashes, and strategy variations, plus a wholesome moment for local hero Zhou Guanyu to top it all off.
Max Verstappen’s dominance did take some of the shine off the race, but the fact that two successive safety car periods brought the field together and brought some excitement proved that it won’t be long before F1 2024 delivers real bite.