Max Verstappen’s incredible start in the Chinese Grand Prix put him on course for a podium finish despite having been knocked out in Q1 24 hours earlier.
His progress continued when he took Daniil Kvyat on the second lap. Following the Safety Car period he passed Kimi Raikkonen around the outside of turn seven.
His next target was his own team mate, and on lap 11 Verstappen successfully dived down the inside of Daniel Ricciardo at turn six. Team principal Christian Horner called it a “clean move”, indicating it was a legitimate pass and not something the team had orchestrated.
Later in the race Verstappen had Ricciardo on his tail but was able to resist the team’s other car to the flag- by less than nine-tenths of a second. He crossed the line 13 places higher than he started: an impressive day’s work.
2017 Chinese Grand Prix lap chart
The positions of each driver on every lap. Click name to highlight, right-click to reset. Toggle drivers using controls below:
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| Driver | Start position | Lap one position change | Race position change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Hamilton | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Valtteri Bottas | 3 | 0 | -3 |
| Daniel Ricciardo | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Max Verstappen | 16 | 9 | 13 |
| Sebastian Vettel | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Kimi Raikkonen | 4 | -1 | -1 |
| Sergio Perez | 8 | -2 | -1 |
| Esteban Ocon | 17 | 3 | 7 |
| Felipe Massa | 6 | -3 | -8 |
| Lance Stroll | 10 | ||
| Fernando Alonso | 13 | 5 | |
| Stoffel Vandoorne | 15 | -1 | |
| Carlos Sainz Jnr | 11 | -7 | 4 |
| Daniil Kvyat | 9 | 3 | |
| Romain Grosjean | 19 | 4 | 8 |
| Kevin Magnussen | 12 | 0 | 4 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | 7 | -4 | -5 |
| Jolyon Palmer | 20 | 1 | 7 |
| Marcus Ericsson | 14 | 1 | -1 |
| Antonio Giovinazzi | 18 | 1 |
2017 Chinese Grand Prix race chart
The gaps between each driver on every lap compared to the leader’s average lap time. Very large gaps omitted. Scroll to zoom, drag to pan and right-click to reset. Toggle drivers using controls below:
2017 Chinese Grand Prix
- Verstappen takes seventh Driver of the Weekend win
- 2017 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript
- Chinese Grand Prix raises hopes of an exciting 2017
- 2017 Chinese Grand Prix Predictions Championship results
- 2017 Chinese Grand Prix Star Performers
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
9th April 2017, 15:15
Watching the race and seeing Kimi stuck behind pretty much everyone made me realize: when was the last time Kimi overtook someone without DRS?
Ever since his return in 2012, I can’t remember any risky overtake like those performed by Verstappen and Seb. He seems SO passive behind another car! problems or not, I don’t know if it’s all down to the car or his hesitant driving. Nothing like the Kimi from 2005.
miki
9th April 2017, 15:29
His Pass on Schumacher through Senna S in Brazil 2012, though i agree he was some what became passive usually even in the time of 2012/13 he was aggressive with overtakes but now since the 2014 he was no where near that aggressiveness
Ronald (@mosquito)
9th April 2017, 15:32
I think you are right. But not only his overtaking is under par the past few years. His performance in comparison to his teammate is not great either since halfway last season.
Neil (@neilosjames)
9th April 2017, 15:44
I was watching the race thinking something along these lines – he seems to have lost his killer instinct when it comes to overtaking. Probably lost it a while ago, and is totally different to the Raikkonen I recall from his early career.
Appears to lack the decisiveness and confidence in himself/the car/the brakes (or something else) to make anything other than straightforward moves… surprised Ferrari didn’t ask him to let Vettel have a go at Ricciardo sooner, because Raikkonen never really looked likely to get past.
bosyber (@bosyber)
9th April 2017, 19:29
Yep, was thinking that too @neilosjames, @mosquito, miki,@fer-no65 though 2nd half of last year he often seemed cleaner and cooler than Vettel, even then whenever he was somewhat aggressive it seemed clumsy, and in general he just doesn’t seem like he is being driven to actually get past.
miki
10th April 2017, 2:58
@bosyber
If he was stuck behind some one he just couldn’t overtake and then the race is over for him whilst his team mate pushes past them he was the same since 2008 hence i think the degrading pirelli tires helped his chance of overtaking as he saves his tires and uses them effectively now it got nullified. But all in all Ferrari strategy team needs to remember that its not seb alone driving for them its kimi as well and make a better strategy for both of them
jenc (@jens)
10th April 2017, 22:53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYwtwBmXArk
Overtaking Schumacher in Eau Rouge in 2012. Eau Rouge is not part of the DRS Zone ;-)
sumedhvidwans (@sumedhvidwans)
10th April 2017, 11:28
Hey Keith, small point. But the Hasses are showing pink and the Force India green. I think this year, Force India should be pink and Haases can take the green
AndrewW
10th April 2017, 15:09
Ferrari need to entertain the idea of even radically differing setups for RAI and VET. RAI is not as far behind as the first two races would suggest.