The 2024 Chinese Grand Prix weekend proceeds with the Sprint Race, starting at 05:00. Live commentary of the 100 km race
April 20, 2024
Lweek break that separated us from the last appointment of Formula 1 in Japan it has finally ended. Everything is ready to Shanghai for the short race of 2024 Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix. Racing returns to the Chinese city five years after the last edition in 2019 and, to further complicate the teams’ work, there will be the debut of the new Sprint format. In fact, yesterday morning the first and only 60-minute free practice session of the entire weekend. Therefore, very little time is available for the teams to identify the perfect set-up to face both the Shootout qualifications and today’s Sprint Race. To further raise the level of difficulty rain which characterized the SQ3, where Lando Norris took pole position in the short 100 km race, starting at 05:00 Italian time.
THEThe short time combined with the unpredictability of the track during FP1 make a comparison in terms of race pace between the teams impossible. The reigning world champions of Red Bull remain the favorites to win even if Max Verstappen will only start fourth, while Sergio Perez sixth. The Mexican, in particular, showed that he has one in the free practice session decidedly competitive consistency in long runsespecially when compared to his teammate. It seemed like an uphill weekend for McLaren, yet on the Shanghai track Lando Norris managed to take pole position in the pouring rain. Oscar Piastri instead it will start from the eighth square. Will the British number #4 be able to climb to the top step of the podium for the first time in Formula 1? We will only know at the end of the 100 km (approximately). Scuderia Ferrari focused its work mainly on qualifying simulation and not on race pace. In fact, especially in recent events Charles Leclerchas proven to have problems preparing for the flying lap, as fundamental as long runs to maximize the performance of the SF-24. The Monegasque set the seventh fastest time, while Carlos Sainz fifth and will therefore start behind Norris, Hamilton, Alonso and the three-time world champion Dutch.
LAnd Shootout qualifications they highlighted how important the pilot’s experience is to make a difference. Lewis Hamilton will start from the front row after almost grabbing his 105th career pole position. The teammate George Russell, who so far has always done better than the seven-time world champion, will start from eleventh place. Very similar situation at home Aston Martin given that Fernando Alonso will start behind Hamilton and Norris in third position, while Lance Strolldespite the best time achieved in the first and only free practice session, only achieved the 15th starting position. Understanding what the performance will be on the track during the Sprint will be very difficult because the teams really had very little time to work on race pace and they all did it, as well as with different and unknown petrol loads, in different conditions. The short 100 km race of the Chinese Grand Prix will therefore be a lotteryas well as being the first opportunity to see the teams play with their cards exposed while waiting for Sunday’s match.
Tags: Sprint Race Chinese Grand Prix live coverage race Formula
