Formula One: Piastri Wins Chinese Grand Prix, McLaren Unbeaten in Two Races
Oscar Piastri’s victory in the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix has left champions McLaren unbeaten in two races so far this year. The Australian driver took the chequered flag from pole position, ahead of his teammate Lando Norris, who finished second.
George Russell finished third for Mercedes, ahead of Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Saturday sprint winner Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth. Piastri’s win denied Norris a third victory in a row, including last year’s Abu Dhabi season-ender, but left McLaren unbeaten in two races so far this year.
Haas Points
Esteban Ocon collected Haas’s first points of the campaign in seventh with Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli eighth for Mercedes and Alex Albon ninth for Williams on his 29th birthday, the team’s second consecutive scoring finish. British rookie Oliver Bearman took the final point in 10th place for Haas.
Racing Highlights
Verstappen lost two places at the start, dropping from fourth to sixth as both the Ferraris went past, while Norris, from third on the grid, overtook Russell and slotted into second behind Piastri. Leclerc suffered a broken front wing after he and Hamilton made contact as they went through, the front left of the Monegasque’s car hitting the rear of Hamilton’s as the Briton moved across.
Despite the missing end-plate, Ferrari did not change the wing at the first pitstops with Leclerc picking up speed instead and Hamilton obeying a call to let him through on lap 21. Hamilton pitted again on lap 38 as others eked out the tyres to the finish but the strategy backfired with the gap to Verstappen too much to make up.
Conclusion
Piastri’s victory marked a significant turnaround for the Australian, who finished ninth in Melbourne after starting on the front row. The win also ensured that McLaren remained unbeaten in two races so far this year, with Norris now holding a 44-point lead over Verstappen. The result has set up an intriguing championship battle, with Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen all in the mix for the title.
FAQs
- Who won the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix?
- Oscar Piastri
- Who finished second in the Chinese Grand Prix?
- Lando Norris
- Who finished third in the Chinese Grand Prix?
- George Russell
- Who is leading the championship?
- Lando Norris (44 points)
- What is the current point gap between McLaren and Mercedes?
- 25 points