The reigning Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, had no trouble in winning the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday.

The Dutch driver led the incident-strewn race from start to finish for his fourth win of the season in what was just the fifth race of the campaign.

The Red Bull driver took the checkered flag in 1:40:52.554, while the British McLaren driver, Lando Norris, finished in second in 13.773 seconds off the pace.

Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Perez, of Mexico rounded off the podium in third for another solid weekend for the manufacturer.

The Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished in fourth and fifth respectively. It was the first time this season that the Spanish driver, Sainz, failed to finish on the podium.

George Russel was the first Silver Arrows driver of Mercedes-Benz to cross the finish line, while his teammate managed to finish in ninth after starting in 18th on the grid.

In the post-race interview Verstappen said the win capped off another good week for the team.

“It felt amazing - all weekend I think we were incredibly quick,” said Verstappen.

“It was just enjoyable to drive every single tyre compound as well. At the restarts I think we survived that well. The car was basically on rails, I could do whatever I wanted to with it, and those kinds of weekends are of course amazing to feel.

“Then, to achieve what we did this weekend is fantastic.”

The teams will now head to the USA for the first time this season for the Miami Grand Prix that will run from 3 to 5 May.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport