Max Verstappen’s triumph at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix has elevated his Formula 1 victory count to 58, while his team, Red Bull Racing, has amassed an impressive 117 wins and 100 pole positions. Despite a disappointing Sprint qualifying, Verstappen’s dominant performance, aided by two Safety Cars and a Virtual Safety Car period, saw him finish nearly 14 seconds ahead of Lando Norris in second place.
In the post-race press release from Red Bull, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the race, highlighting the team’s excellent pace throughout. He acknowledged that the deployment of the safety car had narrowed the gap he had built, but praised the well-balanced car and consistent driving experience, particularly in comparison to the Sprint. Verstappen emphasized the emotional aspect of each race and described this particular victory as particularly enjoyable, given the successful weekend and the return of the Shanghai race to the calendar.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner commended the team’s achievement, particularly their flawless pitstop performance, with double-stacked pitstops for Verstappen and Sergio Perez completed in impressive times of 2.1s and 2.0s. Horner expressed his pride in the team’s progress and Max’s exceptional performance throughout the season, as well as Checo’s podium finish. He credited the pit crew’s efficiency as a reflection of the team’s overall dedication and thanked Exxon Mobil for their continued support, celebrating their 50th anniversary of collaboration.
Verstappen’s only missed opportunity in China was securing the fastest lap point. However, he currently leads the F1 Drivers’ Championship by 25 points ahead of Perez, while Red Bull maintains a comfortable 44-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Standings. The team’s success in China was a testament to their unity and determination.
[Image: Oracle Red Bull Racing Twitter post featuring a photo of the team]