F1 Chinese GP LIVE: Verstappen beats Norris as Hamilton races into points

Toto Wolff says that Mercedes were “not good enough overall” today.

“I think considering where we put the cars altogether, drivers and team, was not a good position for today,” said the Mercedes team principal after the race.

“We have got to dig deep. We have got something coming for Miami that looks like a good step, let’s see where that brings us out.

“It’s not an OK car. We can see what the mistakes are on the car. We wanted to go a bit more aggressive to see if it was something so different we needed to do on that car and you can see Lewis today took it on him, that was maybe a step too far.”

He adds that Mercedes “have something coming for Miami, which looks like a good step”.

A disappointed-looking Hamilton says he didn’t expect any more than his ninth-placed finish this weekend.

The seven-time world champion, who started the day in 18th, said that he is “grateful to get into the points”.

“Hopefully we have a step forward coming at the next race. Until then, we will be back at the factory next week and try and position the car better for Miami and have a better weekend.”

Daniel Ricciardo spoke to Sky earlier about his retirement from the race.

He said that at restarts, drivers have to “be as vigilant as ever”, but “how hard he’s hit me, it wasn’t a small lack of judgement, it was miles off”.

“For me, there’s no excuse. I think what’s frustrating is that I watched his onboard, and he’s not even looking at me.

“I don’t know why he’s not looking at the car in front. He was clearly focused on something else.”

He says that he’s regained some momentum, but that “everyone feels that it’s another blow”.

“48 hours from now, when this disappointmemt starts to fade, we’ll look back on a positive weekend.”

McLaren principal Andrea Stella spoke to Sky Sports F1 and said that he too was surprised at the result.

“In fairness we came here thinking this was a damage limitation event but actually it’s been a completive event.

“The Sprint possibly would have been a second place finish without the issue at corner one. Yesterday, completive in qualifying then again a strong race.

“ F1 often surprises you because it’s sensitive to so many parameters. Good result, good surprise, really happy for the men and women at McLaren. Great effort.”

On Sky Sports, Nico Rosberg is reacting to Norris’ drive today.

“He did a phenomenal drive today. He drove so well. Certainly together with Max, the best driver of the day for sure.

“The consistency also – there was no degradation on his car, which was also amazing to see. Also the comparison to his team-mate Oscar Piastri, who was really struggling with rear degradation.”

Verstappen emerged unscathed from two safety car periods to secure his 38th win from the last 49 staged in Formula One on his unstoppable march towards a fourth straight championship.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said that Max Verstappen “is on another planet at the moment” following the Dutchman’s latest win.

“I felt we were a little unlucky with the safety car, but Max is on another planet at the moment. His form has been fantastic.

“He’s just totally at one with the machine, and he has this unbelievable empathy with a car, and confidence in himself.

“He’s got this incredible racing brain, it’s almost inhuman what he’s capable of.

“Effectively, he’s writing history.”

Here’s some reaction from Norris, who finished second today.