The first Grand Prix in Shanghai in five years on Sunday, due to the pandemic
April 19, 2024
The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix it could provide unexpected emotions, with the reigning champion Max Verstappen which cannot be considered the almost certain winner on Sunday. The three-time world champion he has won 22 of the last 26 GPs and three of this season’s top four. Only a brake failure in Australia prevented him from winning the first four races. In Shanghai, however, there are a series of unknowns that make Sunday’s race more open than expected.
The first F1 GP in China in five years is on Sunday
This is the first F1 GP in China in five yearscanceled from the calendar by the pandemic Covid-19. The last winner in 2019 was Lewis Hamilton on Mercedes. It’s also there first race of the season with a sprint on Saturday, meaning Friday’s practice session was the only one of the weekend. But the biggest unknown is the state of the track surface, over which a thin “sealant coating”, described as liquid asphalt, has been applied. Pilots have repeatedly said it looks like it was painted over. And tire supplier Pirelli said it was not fully aware of the changes ahead of the race. While it’s difficult to draw a definitive conclusion, Friday’s testing and qualifying did bring out some unusual names at the top. In the morning free practice Lance Stroll on Aston Martin achieved the best time followed by Oscar Piastri on McClaren. Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez placed third and fourth followed by the two Haas drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Pole for Saturday’s sprint race by Lando Norris
Subsequently Lando Norris on McLaren he conquered the pole for Saturday’s sprint race, in a rainy session with the drivers struggling quite a bit to control their cars. With a lap of 1’57″940, a time first canceled for not having respected the track limits and then returned, the British driver preceded Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes (1’59″201). In the second row the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso (1’59″915) and the Red Bull of world champion Max Verstappen (2’00″028). Fifth was the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (2’00″214) on Ferrari ahead of the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez (2’00″375). Seventh place for the other Red car of Charles Leclerc, also involved in a spin without serious consequences. Qualifying was slowed down by intermittent rain which became more persistent as the session progressed. Verstappen also went off the track during one of his laps, fortunately without causing any damage to the car.
“It was crazy, first of all a big thank you to the whole team. I’m happy, it was complicated because there’s always nervousness before a session where you know it’s going to rain at any moment,” commented poleman Norris. “We struggled a lot with warming up the tires and if tomorrow is wet we’ll have to find something while if it’s dry we’ll be more or less in the fight,” declared Ferrari driver Sainz. “From the first preparation lap it was difficult to get the tires up to temperature and how difficult it was to keep the car. I tried to be aggressive but then I lost the car in turn 8 and this complicated qualifying a bit. Honestly, I can’t work miracles and I couldn’t do much more, once again I wasn’t able to give my best in qualifying and I’m not happy about this,” added Leclerc. “The conditions today were treacherous, there was very little grip, we struggled to warm up the tyres. But I think it’s the same for everyone and we need to understand if we can do something else”, underlined team principal Vasseur. Finally, according to Red Bull boss Chris Horner “there is the possibility of some variables and, perhaps, some unexpected results.” “I think it’s going to be all action,” concluded Horner
