By Micheal Madyira
Max Verstappen extended his dominance after powering to the Chinese Grand Prix victory at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday.
In a race punctuated by two full safety car periods, the Dutchman romped home ahead of second-placed Lando Norris of McLaren and his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
It was Verstappen’s fourth victory in five races this season and his 38th win from the last 49 Formula One staged races.
“What an amazing weekend here in China,” an excited Verstappen wrote on social media.
“The car felt like it was on rails. Thank you to all the fans, your support has been overwhelming.”
Despite the two mid-race safety cars in quick succession, Verstappen maintained his cool with most drama being behind him, marked by interesting overtakes.
The race appeared headed for a one-two Red Bull victory but the safety cars shuffled Norris, Perez and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc and another Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Starting in pole position, Verstappen converted that into the lead he assumed at the first corner and Perez closely followed him in the first eight laps before his pit stop.
But by lap 13 when he stopped for tyres, he had extended his lead and Perez was disturbed by the two safety car periods.
“All weekend I think we were incredibly quick,” Verstappen said.
“It was just enjoyable to drive every single [tyre] compound as well.”
Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton raised concerns that his car was slow and broken to finish ninth and now sits on 50 races without a Formula One victory, while Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin settled for seventh.
Pictured above: Max Verstappen after winning the Chinese Grand Prix.
Image source: Max Verstappen
