Formula 1
For the time being, the new Formula 1 season will bring the same dominant winner as the previous one: no one could match the Dutchman Max Verstappen in Shanghai either.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) showed himself to be the best on Sunday during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of China, the fifth World Cup round of the season. The 26-year-old Dutchman took pole position at the Shanghai circuit ahead of the British Lando Norris (McLaren) and his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez.
Verstappen never got into trouble. The drivers were briefly shocked on the 23rd lap when the safety car came onto the track after Valtteri Bottas (Sauber-Ferrari) had blown up his engine. A little later there was a crash by Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls-Red Bull). Daniel Ricciardo (Racing-Red Bulls) dropped out with a mechanical problem.
At the front, Verstappen continued to make his laps. The Dutchman rode unthreatened to his 58th GP victory, his fourth victory this season in five races. In the World Cup standings, Verstappen, who also won the sprint race in Shanghai on Saturday, strengthened his lead. He now has 110 points. Teammate Pérez (85 pts) is his first pursuer. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who finished fourth on Sunday, follows third with 76 points.
Formula 1 returned to China this weekend for the first time since 2019. The Grand Prix was absent from the calendar for four years due to strict corona measures. For Verstappen it was his first victory in China. The next Grand Prix will be in Miami on May 5. (blg)
