Formula 1:

Two red-white-red worlds: World Championship title and new era

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff: "The physics aren't right"; Max Verstappen with his 58th winner's trophy (r.)

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Red Bull and champ Max Verstappen were also in a league of their own in China. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is already looking forward to a "refreshment".

Max Verstappen continues to fly away from the competition - the three-time world champion celebrated his 58th Grand Prix victory on the Shanghai International Circuit. And once again in impressive style. "That was a very good day, a very strong race," beamed Verstappen. "The car ran like it was on rails, I could do what I wanted up front." And even the two safety car periods, which cost the "flying Dutchman" a 22-second lead, could not stop Max. "No, I wasn't scared, I knew I was fast, I just had to concentrate on myself - and then it was fine!"

Red Bull's Head of Motorsport Dr. Helmut Marko was just as satisfied. "Max controlled everything, even the fact that he didn't want to set the fastest race lap at the end shows his confidence. Overall, we have a very strong package and Max drives flawlessly. So we can think about the world championship title again!" Sure, Ferrari and McLaren are a little closer to the "Bulls", but Checo Pérez, this time third behind Lando Norris, also delivers. Dr. Marko: "Checo's timing wasn't quite so lucky, so third place was okay."

Nasty joke
But Red Bull still had a moment of trepidation. Two laps before the end, Verstappen radioed that he might have clattered over a carbon part of another car. "I think that was just one of his jokes, he probably wanted to get our heart rate up."

Worry lines for Toto Wolff

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

So while the Austrian national anthem was played at the podium ceremony, the worry lines at Toto Wolff and his Mercedes team are not getting any smaller. "Sixth and ninth place are not our ambition, we put the wrong car in front of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. All the pillars for success are there, but the physics aren't right for us." It remains to be seen who will replace Hamilton from 2025, but the Viennese driver says: "I'm looking forward to entering a new era with a new driver. It will be refreshing."