Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull Racing, took issue with the Safety Car interventions that occurred during the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix. He argued that these interventions detracted from the excitement of the race, despite his dominant win. Verstappen led from the start and managed to maintain his position despite the interruptions, ultimately securing a commanding 13-second lead over Lando Norris.
Verstappen’s primary concern was the impact of the Safety Car periods on the overall race. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the length of time it took to handle these periods. The first intervention took place on Lap 22 when Valtteri Bottas made a stop. The second intervention occurred during the restart, leading to chaos as Kevin Magnussen caused Yuki Tsunoda to spin at Turn 6.
Verstappen believed that the Safety Cars not only affected the race but also hindered the implementation of different strategies among the drivers. He felt that the extended periods behind the Safety Car made the race less enjoyable and straightforward. Verstappen mentioned that Fernando Alonso was the only exception, as he opted for a different strategy by using soft tires.
Despite his concerns about the Safety Car interventions, Verstappen had another successful weekend, securing a routine victory. After dominating the field in Saturday’s Sprint race from fourth on the grid, it was expected that Verstappen would claim the top spot on the podium. He acknowledged that the Sprint race added an element of unpredictability to the weekend but was pleased with how smoothly everything went for him and his team.
Reflecting on his win in China, Verstappen praised the team’s efforts in improving the car’s balance throughout the weekend. He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the car in the main race, noting that it was an improvement compared to the Sprint race. Verstappen appreciated the increased consistency and ease of driving that the improvements provided.