Lando’s ‘surprising’ podium, Zhou’s emotional homecoming + Max’s first win in Shanghai – 2024 Chinese GP Review

Was Max Verstappen’s victory at the Chinese Grand Prix his most dominant of 2024? How did Lando Norris beat the Red Bull of Sergio Perez and both Ferraris to claim P2? What did Zhou Guanyu make of his historic first home race?

From the Shanghai paddock, Tom Clarkson is joined by F1 tech expert Albert Fàbrega and Mercedes reserve driver, Fred Vesti, to discuss all the big talking points from Formula 1’s first race in China since 2019.

Plus, Carlos Sainz’s manager, Carlos Oñoro, gives us the latest on how the Spaniard’s search for a seat in 2025 is going and Chinese journalist Frankie Mao tells us what it meant to have F1 back in the country.

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Stoffel Vandoorne: dramatic debut to 'tough' exit

A multiple title winner at junior level and a point-scorer on his unexpected F1 debut in 2016, Stoffel Vandoorne seemed on track for a long and prosperous career in Formula 1.

But his big break at McLaren in 2017 arrived during one of the team’s most challenging periods.

They finished second-last in the standings during Vandoorne’s first season, endured a difficult transition from Honda to Renault engines the following year, and there was huge organisational change at the top as Zak Brown came in as CEO.

After just seven points-finishes in two years, with a best result of P7, Stoffel was replaced by Lando Norris for 2019 and he hasn’t raced in F1 since.

Now a Test and Reserve driver for Aston Martin, the Belgian tells Tom Clarkson how he prepared for his first race in F1 at such short notice, the drama of signing his first McLaren contract, where it all went wrong during h