Max Verstappen dominated once again in China, with other drivers jostling for positions behind him. In the end, an incredible Lando Norris and Sergio Perez claimed P2 and P3.
Verstappen kept the lead of the race as Fernando Alonso overtook Sergio Perez in turn 1-2. Meanwhile, the two Ferraris had a very poor start and lost positions to George Russell and Nico Hülkenberg. Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz immediately overtook the German back.
On lap 5, Perez got his second position back after overtaking Alonso at the hairpin of the first sector. Just a few laps later, the Spaniard lost another position as Lando Norris got up to P3.
Leclerc got past Russell on the outside of turn 1 on lap 9, trying to close the gap with the cars in front. The Monégasque overtook Oscar Piastri and started chasing Alonso for P4. Meanwhile, Alonso and Russell pitted on lap 12 for new hard and medium tires.
Verstappen and Perez pitted at the same time on lap 14 for hards. Piastri and Sainz stopped too a few laps later, while Norris and Leclerc stayed out, maybe thinking of a one-stop strategy.
Valtteri Bottas had to retire due to an engine failure, and the stewards deployed the virtual safety car. Leclerc and Norris stopped and gained time since, under VSC, the time lost in the pit lane is less.
The Sauber of Bottas was stuck in gear and the marshals couldn’t remove it. After what felt like an eternity, the stewards deployed the safety car. Therefore, many drivers that had already stopped pitted again for fresh tires.
At the restart, Yuki Tsunoda was touched from behind by Kevin Magnussen and they both suffered damage, and the Japanese was forced to retire. Before the restart, the replay showed that Lance Stroll heavily bumped into Daniel Ricciardo and broke his front wing. The stewards deployed the safety car once again. Unfortunately for the Aussie, he had too much damage and had to retire.
Perez overtook Leclerc on lap 39 after finding himself behind him during the safety car period. Meanwhile, Hülkenberg was inside the top 10, trying to secure crucial points for Haas once again.
Alonso was chasing Hamilton for P8 as the Spaniard dropped back a few positions after his pit stop. The Aston Martin driver almost lost the car in the last corner but saved it and immediately overtook Hamilton at the hairpin of the first sector. He also got past Piastri in the same lap.
The top ten at the end of the race was: Verstappen, Norris, Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton, and Hülkenberg.