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Formula 1

The Bulls conquer the Red Dragon

DRC’s race review of the returning Chinese Grand Prix

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1 year ago

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The Bulls conquer the Red Dragon

The Formula One circus brought their parade to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, returning after five years and the excitement in the air was quite visible as the Chinese public gathered in masses to see the Grand Prix weekend that lay ahead of them. And there’s no doubt as to why they were gathered up in such high numbers.

The Shanghai International Circuit has been home to a lot of enthralling moments in Formula One racing. Be it Hamilton’s pit lane screw up which made the 2007 world championship more exciting, Schumacher’s 91st and last win, Buemi’s self-destructing car, or the pit Lane racing between Vettel and Hamilton.

After four non-racing years, the track was resurfaced a bit. More specifically, there has been an additional layer of Tarmac and Bitumen added to ‘re-surface’ the track. No additional changes were made to the track.

Regulations had changed over four years, the new ground effect cars would post at different times and would have different aero configurations compared to the previous cars. This meant that the teams and drivers we going blind into the race weekend, only relying on Simulator data and projections.

The Chinese Grand Prix Weekend was the first sprint weekend of the ‘24 season, with the format being a Free Practice session and a Sprint qualifying session on Friday, followed by the sprint race and a Qualifying session for the main race on a Saturday, with the Race on Sunday.

Free Practice

Free Practice began a small fire on the trackside grass which saw a slight delay in the commencement of the session. the drivers were all over the track, trying to get information and understand the dynamics of the track. As mentioned before, the regulations have been changed so each driver felt like a rookie, trying to find cheat codes and grip wherever they could find them.

At the end of the session, Lance Stroll topped the chart with a 1:36.302 followed by Oscar Piastri (+0.327) and Max Verstappen (+0.358).

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Sprint Qualifying

Sprint Qualifying saw the first hints of rain over the entire weekend. The Sprint Qualifying sessions didn’t see any action per se.

SQ1

Eliminated: Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Alex Albon, Yuki Tsunoda, Logan Sargent.

SQ2

Eliminated: George Russell, Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg, Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll.

SQ3

The drivers found no grip on the track due to the clouds giving way. Intermediate tyres seemed to be the choice for the teams.

Lando Norris posted a time of 1:57.940 which bagged him his first sprint pole. Hamilton followed with a 1:59.201 which got him second place. The top three was completed by Fernando Alonso with a lap that clocked in 1:59.915.

Norris’ lap was deleted by the stewards for exceeding track limits which gifted Hamilton Pole Position. A happy Hamilton was soon left dejected as Norris’ lap was re-instated which dropped the 7x World Champion back to P2.

Sprint Race

As the lights went out for the Sprint race in Shanghai, Norris shot off the line with Hamilton following close behind. As the duo reached Turn 1, Norris ran wide and dropped down to P6 as the field went past him and his McLaren. By Lap 3, Hamilton led from Alonso then Verstappen then Sainz and Perez. Lap 7 saw Verstappen overtake Alonso for P2. As Alonso dropped, he upped his defence as on Lap 15, he kept both the Ferraris and Perez at bay.

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But on Lap 16, his defence was thwarted by Carlos Sainz who went wheel to wheel with his fellow Spaniard. Perez took advantage of this skirmish and shot past which was quite reminiscent of the ‘Through goes Hamilton’ moment from Silverstone 2022. Alonso suffered a puncture during the skirmish he had with Carlos which saw him come into the pits and retire.

The Sprint race came to an end with Verstappen taking the chequered flag with Hamilton and Perez filling out the podium positions.

Qualifying

Q1 saw home hero Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen, Lewis Hamilton, Yuki Tsunoda, and Logan Sargent drop out and get eliminated. Hamilton had a disastrous qualifying, only able to do as good as P18. The last time Hamilton was knocked out of Q1 was in Jeddah at the Saudi Arabian GP in 2022.

Q2 saw Sainz take a dip into the gravel trap at the final corner and spin out, hitting the barrier and damaging his car. He lost his Front wing and was forced to pit.

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As the session ended, Lance Stroll, Daniel Ricciardo, Esteban Ocon, Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly were eliminated.

Q3 saw Oscar Piastri almost replicate Sainz’s collision in his #87 McLaren. Q3 ended with Max Verstappen taking Pole with a banker lap of 1:333.660. This is Red Bull’s centenary pole position and also the track where they scored their first Pole Position in the Hands of Sebastian. The other Red Bull of Sergio Perez locked out the front row. Fernando Alonso placed his Aston Martin in P3, with both McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sitting comfortably in P4 and P5.

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Race

The race was contested on the 21st of April, 2024 through 56 laps. little drizzle over the track before the race meant that grip would be scarce. A two-stop strategy would be optimal with more emphasis on the hard tyres.

As the lights went out for the main race, Verstappen and Perez went off the line swiftly but Alonso reacted quicker than the Mexican. This caught him off guard which allowed Alonso to pass him around the outside to take P2. At the back, Hulkenberg made big moves in his Haas by overtaking both the Ferraris.

By Lap 5, Perez started inching closer to Alonso to gain back his position, everything stayed the same until Lap 20. The yellow flag was brought out as Valterri Bottas crashed out. A virtual Safety Car was put into effect which turned into a Full Safety Car.

By Lap 27, The Safety Car was brought in but was redeployed again as both RBs Tsunoda and Ricciardo crashed out due to a spin and a collision with Stroll respectively.

Lap 33 had Hamilton recover to P10 which showed his immense understanding of the track. With the second Safety car, a lot of cars pitted which handed the lead to Norris. As Lap 40, came by, Verstappen overtook Norris for the lead and built an 8 sec lead over him. Alonso kept an eye for Sainz at the back and overtook Hamilton and Piastri to seal the deal.

On Lap 54, Verstappen had built a 12-second lead on Norris and as the chequered flag dropped on at the end of Lap 56 he coasted away for a beautiful Chinese Grand Prix. Lando Norris finished a strong P2 with the third spot getting occupied by Sergio Perez.

The Bulls conquer the Red Dragon

Home Hero Zhou Guanyu shared a wholesome with his countrymen as he was given his spot on the grid after the race. He shed a tear and waved proudly at his fans who showed him support and love throughout the weekend.

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Here is the Final Race Classification after the scintillating 56 laps:

The Bulls conquer the Red Dragon

Championship Standings

The Bulls conquer the Red Dragon
The Bulls conquer the Red Dragon

Verstappen extends his championship lead while His and Perez’s valiant efforts help Red Bull stay on the top of the Constructors Standings.

All in all, it was an amazing weekend for Formula One racing and it only goes to show that China deserves a spot on the F1 calendar for all its exciting track action. The next race is the Miami Grand Prix which will be contested from the 3rd of May to the 6th of May.

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Formula 1

Monaco GP: Norris Triumphs In The Principality

Lando Norris got his first ever win on the streets of Monaco, something he said is a “childhood dream come true”.

Published

4 days ago

on

May 28, 2025

By

Lando Norris celebrates after winning the Formula 1 Monaco GP
Credits: Formula 1

Lando Norris delivered a masterclass at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, securing a crucial win that reignites his title campaign. After a weekend that started on shaky footing, the McLaren driver produced what many are calling “the lap of a generation” to snatch pole position, smashing the all-time Monaco lap record in the process.

On race day, Norris maintained his lead off the line despite a bold challenge from local hero Charles Leclerc. From there, the Briton managed the race expertly until the closing stages, when an unconventional strategy by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen allowed Leclerc to close a previously six-second gap to within striking distance. At one point, the Ferrari was just 0.235 seconds behind, but Norris kept his cool and his lead.

With Verstappen finally pitting on the final lap, Norris had clear air to stretch his legs, setting the fastest lap of the race, nearly three seconds quicker than his pace while stuck behind the Red Bull. It was a statement win on one of Formula 1’s most prestigious stages.

Home Hero Just Misses Out on Repeat Glory

Charles Leclerc had high hopes of repeating his 2024 home triumph, especially after topping all three practice sessions. With Ferrari’s car well-suited to the unique demands of Monaco’s low-speed layout, expectations were sky-high. However, a second-place result in qualifying left him just shy of a clear view.

At lights out, Leclerc saw a glimmer of opportunity at Turn 1 but found the door closed by Norris. Despite closing the gap significantly late in the race, he ran out of laps to make a decisive move. It was a strong result, but not quite the fairytale finish the Monegasque fans were hoping for.

Embed from Getty Images

Verstappen’s Gamble Falls Short

Max Verstappen’s P4 finish tells only part of his story. After being promoted to fourth on the grid following a penalty for Lewis Hamilton, the Dutchman found himself leading several laps thanks to an aggressive long-run strategy. Slowing the leaders and hoping for a red flag, Verstappen attempted to steal victory through race interruption, but the miracle never came.

Still, a decent haul of points helps keep him within range in the championship battle. Meanwhile, teammate Yuki Tsunoda endured another torrid weekend. An early collision with Pierre Gasly dropped him to the back, and he eventually crossed the line in P17.

Monaco GP: Norris Triumphs In The Principality
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 25: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505250572 // Usage for editorial use only //

Racing Bulls Execute Perfect Team Strategy

Visa Cash App RB delivered a strategic masterpiece in Monaco. Rookie Isack Hadjar stunned the paddock with a career-best qualifying in P6, while teammate Liam Lawson lined up P9. In the race, Lawson played the ultimate team role, intentionally backing up the field to allow Hadjar a clean pit window and a shot at the front runners.

The result? P6 for Hadjar and P8 for Lawson, the pair’s best result in Formula 1 to date. Smart, calculated, and perfectly executed.

Monaco GP: Norris Triumphs In The Principality
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 25: Isack Hadjar of France driving the (6) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505250595 // Usage for editorial use only //

Williams Reaps Rewards for Tactical Play

Williams also benefited from strategic racing, with both cars finishing in the points, Alex Albon in P9 and Carlos Sainz in P10. In a move reminiscent of Racing Bulls, the team slowed the midfield train to manage tire life and track position. Mercedes was caught in this traffic jam, prompting an in-race apology text from Williams Team Principal James Vowles to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

The double points finish marked the team’s best Monaco result since 2005, a testament to the FW46’s growing consistency.

Mercedes Leave The Track Frustrated

Both the Mercedes Boys were involved in the Williams Train after a disappointing qualifying. In a hilarious event, George Russell overtook Alex Albon off track in the Nouvel Chicane. After sitting frustratedly behind a slow Williams for 70 laps, he received a Drive Through Penalty for the violation, and then, after the race, received a second Drive Through Penalty, which was added to his race time.

Antonelli had a similar scrappy weekend; a disappointing qualifying meant he was on the back foot. On Lap 1, he was embarrassingly done around the Hairpin section by the Sauber of Bortoleto, however, an attempt to overtake and regain his position ended badly for the Sauber after he was put into the wall.



Race Results

Standings

F1 Heads To Éspana: Spanish Grand Prix

Formula 1 now heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the final leg of the triple-header. With its mix of high-speed corners and technical sectors, the Spanish Grand Prix promises to be another stern test for both driver and machine.

Norris rides the momentum of a breakthrough win, while teammate Piastri will be eager to reassert his authority in the title fight. Don’t miss what’s shaping up to be a thrilling European summer.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Monaco Grand Prix: Formula One’s Crown Jewel

Formula 1 makes it’s stop at Monaco for the second race of the intense triple header.

Published

1 week ago

on

May 24, 2025

By

Formula 1 cars at Monaco
Credits: F1

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most iconic and prestigious races in Formula 1. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Monte Carlo’s harbour and steep hillsides, this street circuit offers a thrilling blend of glamour, history, and high-stakes racing. The tight, twisty layout makes every lap a challenge, demanding absolute precision and focus from the drivers. With limited opportunities to overtake and no margin for error, success in Monaco isn’t just about speed, it’s about control, timing, and staying off the walls.

About The Track

The Circuit de Monaco is widely regarded as one of the most difficult tracks in Formula 1. It’s narrow, full of sharp corners, and features constant elevation changes. With virtually no long straights, it offers few chances for overtaking, making qualifying performance especially critical.

Drivers must navigate legendary sections like the Fairmont Hairpin, which is the tightest corner on the F1 calendar, the tunnel, and the high-speed Swimming Pool chicane. The track’s bumpy surface and unforgiving barriers leave no room for mistakes, testing the limits of both car and driver from start to finish.

Monaco Grand Prix: Formula One's Crown Jewel

(Credit – f1.com)

Pirelli’s Specifications


For a second consecutive race, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds from the 2025 range. As in Imola last week, the C4 will be the Hard, the C5 the Medium and the C6 the Soft, with the first two being the mandatory compounds for the race.

This weekend will see an important change to the regulations, specifically for this event only. During the race, two pit stops will be mandatory.

The aim of the FIA and F1 is to inject more excitement into a race that has often been very linear and predictable, as was very much the case last year.

Stories This Weekend

Monaco Curse

Charles Leclerc broke his home race curse by finally winning in Monaco last year, but it’s been a rocky road. From crashes in qualifying to mechanical failures on race day, the streets of Monte Carlo have not been kind to the Monegasque driver in the past.

Although Ferrari’s current performance doesn’t seem to match the pace of McLaren or Red Bull, Leclerc will be aiming to make the most of his local knowledge and qualifying prowess to put himself in a strong position.

In honour of its 75-year partnership with Shell, Ferrari has also made subtle livery changes this weekend.

Max As A Title Contender

Fresh off a commanding win in Imola, Max Verstappen is back in the title hunt. The reigning champion has been steadily chipping away at McLaren’s lead in the standings. A strong qualifying performance in Monaco, ideally a front-row start, will be key to maximising his chances on Sunday.

While Verstappen skipped a private screening of the upcoming F1 Movie to focus on sim racing, his focus remains firmly on the track.


McLaren Special Livery

McLaren enters the Monaco weekend in strong form and will run a special livery, albeit with only slight changes to their signature papaya and black colour scheme. The team is targeting a front-row lockout in qualifying and looks poised to continue its run of strong performances.

F1 Movie Screening

A unique highlight ahead of the race weekend was a private screening of the upcoming F1 Movie starring Brad Pitt and produced by Lewis Hamilton. The film is expected to boost global interest in Formula 1. Most of the grid was in attendance, except for Verstappen, who chose to stay home for sim racing.

Weekend Schedule

Weather Forecast

Friday: 23°C, Wind 13 km/h, 5% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 11 km/h, 25% chance of rain
Sunday: 23°C, Wind 11 km/h, 17% chance of rain.

The weather looks stable for the most part, allowing teams to collect consistent data throughout the sessions. If a surprise rain shower hits during qualifying or the race, it could shake up the grid in a big way.


Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Verstappen Stuns McLaren: Formula 1 At Imola

Published

1 week ago

on

May 21, 2025

By

Verstappen Stuns McLaren: Formula 1 At Imola
Credits: Red Bull Content Pool

If the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was Imola’s swan song on the F1 calendar, the circuit made sure to remind everyone why it’s one of the sport’s most cherished and technical venues. From bold overtakes to strategic masterstrokes, this race had it all.

Verstappen’s Bold Opening Move Secures Victory

Max Verstappen once again demonstrated why he’s at the top of his game. Despite narrowly missing out on pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session, he made an audacious move into Turn 1 at the start, sweeping past pole-sitter Oscar Piastri and taking the lead by the end of the first lap.

From that moment on, Verstappen controlled the tempo of the race. Red Bull nailed the strategy calls under both the Virtual Safety Car and full Safety Car periods, allowing the Dutchman to maintain a comfortable gap to the McLarens and clinch a commanding win.

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 18: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 18, 2025 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Lars Baron/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505180621 // Usage for editorial use only //
IMOLA, ITALY – MAY 18: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 18, 2025 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Lars Baron/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505180621 // Usage for editorial use only //

McLaren Double Podium: Norris Leads the Charge

McLaren came into Sunday with high hopes, having locked out P1 and P4 on the grid. While Piastri’s early loss of the lead set the tone for a challenging race, it was a mid-race shuffle and an untimely Safety Car that ultimately worked against the young Australian. He was overtaken by teammate Lando Norris, who had a strong recovery from P4, including a gutsy move into Turn 1 to grab second place.

In the end, Norris finished P2 and Piastri rounded out the podium in P3, a solid points haul that keeps McLaren firmly in the title fight.

Embed from Getty Images


Happy Tifosi as Ferrari Charges Forward

The home crowd had plenty to cheer for, as Ferrari put on a show of grit and determination. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton started outside the top ten, P11 and P12 respectively, but clever strategy and racecraft saw them carve through the field.

Hamilton secured his best result for Ferrari to date with a P4 finish, while Leclerc climbed to P6 after some tight battles and smart tire management. Together, they gained a remarkable 13 positions during the Grand Prix, much to the delight of the passionate Tifosi.

Embed from Getty Images



Mercedes Struggles

Despite a strong qualifying performance by George Russell who started P3 thanks to an alternative tire strategy inspired by Aston Martin the race told a different story for Mercedes. Tire temperature issues plagued Russell’s pace, ultimately leaving him to finish in a disappointing P7.

For rookie Andrea Antonelli, the home race turned bittersweet. Knocked out in Q2, the young Italian was running competitively before a mechanical failure ended his race prematurely, dashing hopes of a memorable debut on home soil.


Williams Score Big

Williams Racing delivered one of their most competitive weekends in recent memory. Alex Albon qualified an impressive P7, and his stellar race pace combined with timely strategy calls propelled him past Ferrari’s Leclerc to finish P5 securing 10 crucial points.

Teammate Carlos Sainz, starting P6, slipped two positions over the course of the race but still managed a respectable P8 finish. For a team that had zero points at this stage last season, it’s a monumental step forward.


Race Results


Standings



Monaco Awaits: The Jewel in F1’s Crown

Next up, the paddock heads to the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix. Known for its unforgiving barriers, tight corners, and emphasis on qualifying, it’s a venue where precision reigns supreme. With the title race heating up and multiple teams in contention, expect another enthralling chapter in what’s shaping up to be one of F1’s most competitive seasons in years.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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