The starting grid of the Chinese Grand Prix, fifth round of the 2024 Formula 1 season
April 20, 2024
THEThe Circus is back on track after a week’s post-race break in Japan. The wait for the return to the track made the race weekend in Shanghai even more exciting, finally on the calendar after five years of absence and a Covid-19 pandemic. We are talking about the Chinese Grand Prix, the fifth event of 2024. On this occasion, in addition to the new generation of ground effect single-seaters, the new Sprint format also debuted. The activity began on Friday with the first free practice session which saw the best time of Lance Stroll. We then returned to the track for Shootout qualifying, which determined the starting order of the 100km race. Pole position was taken by Lando Norris, with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso behind him.
NoOn Saturday morning, the Sprint Race took place which saw Max Verstappen triumph, reaching the podium together with Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton. The Asturian from Aston Martin had to retire due to a puncture suffered in a tussle with Carlos Sainz for the bronze medal. For this overly optimistic action, Alonso received a 10 second penalty (essentially zero given the DNF) and three points on his licence. The Scuderia Ferrari native from Madrid was then the protagonist of another duel with Charles Leclerc, almost coming into contact. The Monegasque then complained about his teammate on a team radio: “We have to talk about it because he fights more with me than with the others.” The situation, which seemed to have become heated, was then resolved in the post-race briefing.
PA few hours after the Sprint, the drivers returned to the track for the qualifying sessions which decided the starting order for the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix. Max Verstappen also took pole position. Teammate Sergio Perez will start alongside him, while behind them there will be Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris. Third row for Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, ahead of Carlos Sainz and George Russell. The seventh position of the Madrilenian was confirmed despite the complaint presented to the FIA by Aston Martin. Fifth row for Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas and Valtteri Bottas’ Stake Kick Sauber F1 Team. Eleventh position for Lance Stroll, followed by Daniel Ricciardo, Esteban Ocon, Alexander Albon, Pierre Gasly, Zhou Guayu, home hero here in Shanghai, Keving Magnusse, Lewis Hamilton, Yuki Tsunoda and Logan Sargeant.
F1. Starting grid Chinese GP 2024
- Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing
- Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing
- Fernando ALONSO Aston Martin
- Lando NORRIS McLaren
- Oscar PIASTRI McLaren
- Charles LECLERC Ferrari
- Carlos SAINZ Ferrari
- George RUSSELL Mercedes
- Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team
- Valtteri BOTTAS Kick Sauber
- Lance STROLL Aston Martin
- Daniel RICCIARDO RB
- Esteban OCON Alpine
- Alexander ALBON Williams
- Pierre GASLY Alpine
- ZHOU Guanyu Kick Sauber
- Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team
- Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes
- Yuki TSUNODA RB
- Logan SARGEANT William
