Chinese Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Wins First Race In Shanghai As Lewis Hamilton Improves To Make Points

 

There was no stopping of Max Verstappen to win his first race in Shanghai as he improved from behind to front row to lead through the laps and won the race ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris in second position. 

Unlike other drivers battling each othe to stay ahead in track position, Verstappen was undeterred at the front and maintained that position amidst two safety car periods. Sergio Perez also gave the race his best shot, even though he could not get on Norris, he succeeded shuttling past Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to make it up to podium position. 

Perez was behind Leclerc in track position for pitting after safety car was called for Valtteri Bottas and later reclimbed up to podium position by lap 39, gaining DRS on Leclerc to move up to third. The Ferrari driver continued to finish in fourth ahead of his teammate, Carlos Sainz. 

Lewis Hamilton improved incredibly well from beind to point-position, and had a moment with Fernando Alonso in the course of the race, but the Aston Martin driver who was on fresh tires sped by him on DRS to move up to seventh. The seven-time champion continued to finish in P9 behind his teammate, George Russell in P6. 

Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff was not satisfied with his team's performance and promised to come up with some improvements by next weekend in Miami. He intended making the team "more aggressive" to stand a better chance. 

"We have got to dig deep. We have got something coming for Miami that looks like a good step," said Mercedes boss after the race. "We wanted to go a bit more aggressive to see if it was something so different we need to do on that car."