The Chinese Grand Prix began with polesitter Verstappen holding the lead and controlling the early phase. Pérez briefly lost out to Alonso but soon recovered second. In the middle of the race, Bottas stopped with an engine problem, bringing a virtual safety car that developed into a full safety car. At the restart, incidents at turn 14 involved Ricciardo, Stroll and Piastri, while Magnussen and Tsunoda also collided, triggering another safety car and compressing the field. Verstappen rebuilt his lead after the restart, while Norris held second. Verstappen took his first Chinese Grand Prix victory, Norris finished second and Pérez third. Alonso later switched to soft tyres and claimed the fastest lap.