Chinese Grand Prix F1: Oscar Piastri Triumphs In Shanghai As Mclaren Claim Impressive One-Two

Oscar Piastri claimed a comfortable victory at the Chinese Grand Prix as he and championship leader Lando Norris secured an impressive one-two for McLaren. (Highlights | More Motorsport News)

Piastri produced a controlled drive on Sunday to follow up an impressive Saturday that saw him finish second to Lewis Hamilton in the sprint race before claiming his first career pole position.

Once he got off the line cleanly, a third Formula One win of the Australian's career rarely looked in doubt as he made an emphatic response to a disappointing home race last time out, giving McLaren a second straight victory after Norris’ triumph in Melbourne.

Norris had work harder to secure second place. He ultimately held off Mercedes' George Russell, but only after his fellow Briton had overtaken him both at the start and during the pit-stop window.

The McLaren driver was able to get back in front on both occasions and kept the position despite brake pedal problems causing some nerves late in the race, meaning he leads the drivers' championship by eight points after two rounds.

World champion Max Verstappen lost places at the start and was subdued for much of the grand prix, but he was able to battle back and finish where he started in fourth.

He came in ahead of Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc – who drove well despite incurring front-wing damage at the start – and Hamilton.

There was a strong outing from Haas, with Esteban Ocon claiming seventh place and team-mate Oliver Bearman grabbing a point in 10th.

Data Debrief: Pole crucial again in Shanghai

Piastri had to settle for a disappointing ninth place in the season opener, but this victory in Shanghai takes him to within 10 points of Norris at the top of the drivers' standings. 

After a hugely positive weekend, Piastri trails Verstappen and Russell by just two points and one point respectively.

This was the 11th occasion from 18 races in Shanghai when the race winner started from pole position, while 13 of those race wins have come from the front row. Not since Piastri's compatriot Daniel Ricciardo triumphed in 2018 has a driver come from outside the top two in qualifying to win in China.

As for Russell, this result gave him a second consecutive podium to start the season. In the process, he took Mercedes to 300 podiums in their F1 history, making them just the fourth team in the competition to do so after Ferrari, McLaren and Williams.

Top 10

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. George Russell (Mercedes)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
7. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
8. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
9. Alex Albon (Williams)
10. Oliver Bearman (Haas)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Drivers

1. Lando Norris - 44
2. Max Verstappen - 36
3. George Russell – 35

Constructors

1. McLaren - 78
2. Mercedes - 53
3. Red Bulls - 36