An incident during the 31st lap and a tactical masterstroke has put Red Bull in the winning position at the dramatic Chinese Grand Prix. Daniel Ricciardo took first place after a spectacular collision between Sebastian Vettel, who is championship leader, and Max Verstappen.
The exciting events in Shanghai altered the course of the race in dramatic style. Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas had moved ahead of Vettel when the Ferrari team took a pit stop. However, a collision between Brendon Hartley and Pierre Gasly, both members of the Torro Rosso team, meant that the safety car had to be deployed to protect the drivers.
Ricciardo and Verstappen seized the opportunity to get some fresh tyres and that gave the team the edge they needed to claim victory. Ricciardo passed Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Vettel before powering past Bottas for a superb victory.
Excitement for motor sports fans
According to the official Formula 1 website, the Shanghai course is notable for its high-speed straights offering crucial overtaking opportunities, and Ricciardo took full advantage of these. It also offers an intense and exciting motorsport experience for the dedicated spectators.
Thousands of motor sports enthusiasts flock there and to the Ermanno Palace every year. Guests can enjoy fabulous hospitality packages from providers such as https://edgeglobalevents.com/.
Collisions change the course of the race
Verstappen lost his place ahead of Ricciardo when his car left the track. He was attempting to pass Lewis Hamilton but collided with Vettel at turn 14. Vettel finished in eighth place and Hamilton finished in fifth place, but was moved up to fourth when Verstappen suffered a 10-second penalty. The penalty was awarded for going too deep on the brakes, making a collision inevitable. Second to the triumphant was Ricciardo was Bottas, who finished nine seconds behind the winner.
The race started very differently. Vettel appeared to be the likely victor after he saw off the rest of the field and led at the opening bend. Bottas then moved ahead of Raikkonen and Verstappen took up the third place.
Verstappen accompanied the Mercedes cars into the pit. Ferrari made a tactical error by leaving Vettel on old tyres for two laps too long. In the end it was tyre rubber and collisions that decided the outcome of the race.