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Formula 1

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC’s Chinese GP preview.

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1 year ago

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What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.

The return of the sport to the Shanghai International Circuit for the 5th round of 2024 brings along a new sprint weekend format, the first of which we get to see this season. With these new generation cars not having raced at this venue and the track also getting resurfaced, there’s plenty up for grabs this weekend.

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.

About the Race Track

The Shanghai International Circuit debuted on the F1 calendar in 2004 and is known for its challenging design and diverse features. The 5.451 km track has a pleasant mix of corner variations, such as the unique Turns 1 and 2 complex, the high-g sectors around turns 7 and 8, and the tight hairpin of Turn 14. Two of the DRS zones include the long straight between T-13 and 14, one of the longest on the calendar, and the main start-finish straight. The high g-force turns are enjoyed by drivers for the technical skill they demand. The circuit’s layout, with its unique ‘Shang’ symbol shape, provides a variety of racing lines and strategies, contributing to its raceability.
Michael Schumacher holds the lap record for the Chinese Grand Prix, set at 1:32:238 in 2004.

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.

What to Expect

With this being a new track for the newer car generation, not much comparative data will be available to the teams. A slew of changes were brought to Japan by Red Bull, Aston Martin, and many others. Not many more are slated to get new parts owing to the relatively unknown nature of the circuit, but expectations from the grid can still be gauged. There is of course less time for the teams to set up their cars in a sprint weekend, which means there will be unknowns aplenty.


The New Sprint format

Formula 1 starts the 2024 season with yet another change to its controversial sprint format, the third in three years. Here are the new rules:

·        Friday: FP1 – 60 minutes, followed by Sprint Qualifying, which sets the grid for Saturday’s Sprint.

·        Saturday: Sprint – 100kms dash, no mandatory pits. Points for the top 8 finishers. Followed by Grand Prix Qualifying.

·        Sunday: The Main Grand Prix.

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.

Do note, that the parc fermé rules have now been slightly altered, with the addition of a second parc fermé period. Cars are now initially placed under parc fermé conditions at the start of Sprint Qualifying until the end of the Sprint. Further changes can be made to the cars between the Sprint and the start of Grand Prix Qualifying, following which the second parc fermé rules are enforced.

Key talking points

Red Bull is still the team to beat

Red Bull still has the upper hand, with their car now inching towards perfection. The RB20 came adorned with a healthy upgrade package back in Japan, so expect them to simmer it down with changes. While Verstappen is still at the top of his game, Perez’s recent improvement has been impressive.
Whether it’s his usual early-season spark in performance or him coming to terms with his car, expect the Mexican to be on the top of his game this weekend. At least he has to, if he is to keep his seat.

Ferrari is on the uptick

One can very well expect Ferrari to take the fight up to Red Bull, considering the strong performances displayed by Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in Japan. If the improved tire degradation is to be of any indication, Ferrari’s new suspension upgrades will have come up as a ray of hope for the Tifosi. With the Scuderia now focused a lot more on mid-season upgrades, we can surely expect them to fight for podiums, if not for a win.

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.

Mercedes still figuring out

The Brackley outfit has once again fallen prey to its change of philosophy, with neither car able to match the race pace of its competitors up the grid. The Silver Arrows are well behind on 3rd place McLaren. But it can only keep from conceding its position to Aston Martin if its two British drivers can manage to outperform their cars this weekend, especially with a lot more points up for grabs out here. Not only is this team marred with performance issues, but their reliability also seems to warrant some care. Perhaps Russell and Hamilton need to hold on to their steering a bit longer, given that no major upgrade package is slated on the horizon.

McLaren on the hunt

McLaren has consistently proven that their new outlook has paid dividends towards performance. Despite a strategy mishap, a podium in Australia and a P5 in Japan show that they could be one of the teams to be noted during the Sprint weekend at Shanghai. However, the problem they have in the straight-line speed deficit seen in Jeddah, could show up and impact the pecking order. Still, given the surprising working window of the papaya-liveried cars, making a solid estimation becomes hard in a close midfield.

Rest of the field

Home hero Zhou Guanyu must be overjoyed being able to race in his country, the first Chinese driver to do so in F1. But his team’s pangs may keep his hands tied behind his back, with Sauber still reeling under the issues of difficult pit stops. That’s something that has significantly affected their race results since if their stops were to be disregarded, the pace appears to be set on points finishes.

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.

Fernando Alonso, off the bat of his ‘longest ever contract’ re-sign with Aston Martin, will be looking to grab as many points as possible for the team. Japan brought about plenty of updates for the Silverstone-based team, so now we can expect the team to perform well on a track with similar characteristics.

Among others, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon is also set to don a new floor upgrade, aiming to improve the troubled A524.
Daniel Ricciardo will also be receiving his new chassis as the RB team is trying to understand the Australian’s lack of confidence, after his slew of terrible finishes compared to his teammate. The latter even managed to score a point at his home race of Japan, while Ricciardo DNF’d on the opening lap.

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.


Weather

It’s expected to be dry but cloudy for the race weekend – slight chance of a wet session on Friday, with lower temperatures meaning ease on the machines.

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.

Weekend Schedule

What to expect from China after 5 years? DRC's Chinese GP preview.
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Formula 1

Formula 1 Heads to Imola GP: What to look out for this weekend

Formula 1 returns to the historic Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit for the Imola GP to kick off the European leg of the championship. With the current contract set to expire this year, this could be Imola’s final Grand Prix for the foreseeable future.

Published

4 days ago

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May 16, 2025

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Formula 1 Heads to Imola GP: What to look out for this weekend
Credit - Formula 1

Imola GP: Formula 1 returns to one of its most iconic venues as the 2025 season heads to Imola GP for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Steeped in history and backed by passionate fans, the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit offers an unforgiving layout that demands precision and bravery. Following a run of high-speed tracks, this technical challenge marks a pivotal shift in the championship narrative. As teams arrive in Italy, all eyes are on who can conquer the old-school demands of this legendary circuit.

About The Track

Track layout for the Imola GP.
Credit – Formula 1


The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari—better known as Imola—is a classic driver’s circuit steeped in Formula 1 heritage. Nestled in the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, this 4.9-kilometer track runs counter-clockwise—one of the few circuits on the calendar to do so. Imola is renowned for its flowing rhythm, technical demands, and minimal margin for error, with narrow asphalt and unforgiving gravel traps lining much of the layout. Unlike many modern venues, it retains a distinctly old-school character, with elevation changes that challenge both car setup and driver focus.

Among its most iconic sections are the high-speed, downhill sweep of Piratella, the tricky Acque Minerali complex with its undulating surface, and the Variante Alta chicane, which demands aggressive use of the curbs and perfect timing. Overtaking is notoriously difficult here, but the best opportunities typically come into the Tamburello chicane at the end of the main straight or under braking into Rivazza—especially when DRS and tire strategy shake things up in the closing stages.


Pirelli’s Specification

Formula 1 Heads to Imola GP: What to look out for this weekend
Credit – Pirelli


The new C6 compound is set to make its race debut at the Imola GP, as Pirelli has selected the softest trio from its 2025 range for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend: C4 as Hard, C5 as Medium, and C6 as Soft. This will mark the first appearance of the C6 on this season’s cars, as it was not used during pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Homologated for circuits that place minimal stress on tyres, the C6 is expected to offer superior grip over a single flying lap—particularly on Imola’s relatively smooth and low-abrasion surface. While it’s unlikely to feature in race stints due to durability concerns, data gathered here, as well as from upcoming races in Monaco and Montreal, will help Pirelli assess its viability for use in the latter half of the season.

Stories This Weekend

Franco Colapinto’s Alpine Debut

Franco Colapinto returns to the Formula 1 paddock with the French outfit, Alpine. The team recently announced the departure of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, and shortly after confirmed that Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five Grands Prix.

Piastri’s Winning Streak

Oscar Piastri is riding a career-high wave with a three-race winning streak, extending his points advantage over teammate Lando Norris. After a missed opportunity in Miami, Norris will be looking to bounce back—and the Imola GP could be just the place to do it. The Brit has historically performed well here, often exceeding expectations at this classic circuit.

Antonelli’s Home Race

It’s Kimi Antonelli’s first home race weekend of the season—and of his Formula 1 career. While the home support is guaranteed, it also brings immense pressure to deliver on familiar soil. With Mercedes introducing a fresh upgrade package for the Imola GP, Antonelli will be aiming to close the gap to the front. The German outfit will be hoping to hit the ground running and turn a new page in their 2025 campaign.

Big Showings For Ferrari

Ferrari heads into its first home race of the season at Imola, and that means one thing—the Tifosi will be out in full force. The team is bringing a significant upgrade package this weekend, hoping it will unlock more performance and bring clarity to the car’s behavior. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have historically performed well at this circuit, and with the home crowd behind them, they’ll be aiming to secure a solid haul of points.

Weekend Schedule

Weather Forecast

Friday: 19°C, Wind 11 km/h, 1% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 11 km/h, 5% chance of rain
Sunday: 23°C, Wind 13 km/h, 46% chance of rain in spots in the afternoon.

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

Miami GP Thrills: Piastri’s Hat-Trick Seals McLaren’s Domination

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 8, 2025

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Miami GP Thrills: Piastri’s Hat-Trick Seals McLaren’s Domination
Credit - the-race.com

Papaya Power: McLaren’s Statement Weekend

McLaren delivered a flawless performance in Miami GP, walking away with maximum points in both the Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix. In what has become a familiar sight, Oscar Piastri led the charge, claiming his third consecutive Grand Prix victory and cementing his status as the 2025 title favorite.

Saturday’s Sprint was briefly derailed for Piastri by a late-race Safety Car, allowing teammate Lando Norris to swoop in and snatch P1. However, Sunday belonged to Oscar, who cruised to victory after Norris’s early clash with Max Verstappen at Turn 1. The incident forced Norris off track, denying him a proper shot at the win.

Post-race, Norris made headlines by stating, “It’s crash or don’t pass with Max,” accusing Verstappen of “not racing smart.” While Norris showed pace, the challenge now is translating it into strategic, successful racecraft under pressure.


Verstappen Fights Hard, But Falls Short

Red Bull faced a rare stumble in the Miami GP. Max Verstappen’s weekend began with a nightmare — a 10-second penalty for an unsafe pit release during the Sprint dropped him to P17, marking his first non-scoring finish in nearly a decade.

Miami GP - Max Verstappen
Credit – Red Bull Content Pool

Yuki Tsunoda salvaged some pride by finishing P6 in the Sprint and grabbing the final point in Sunday’s race. Verstappen’s recovery drive in the Grand Prix was gritty but not enough. After fierce battles with the McLarens and a post-Safety Car shuffle, he found himself stuck behind George Russell, finishing a frustrated P4.

Mercedes Returns to the Podium

Kimi Antonelli shocked the grid on Friday with a sensational Sprint pole, showing that Mercedes’ future is bright. But a Turn 1 tangle with Piastri and a drive-through penalty — triggered by Verstappen’s unsafe release — derailed his Sprint hopes.

In Sunday’s race, the rookie started P3 but dropped back to finish P6. George Russell, meanwhile, quietly went about his business. After being outqualified by Antonelli, Russell capitalized on a mid-race Safety Car to leapfrog Verstappen and secure a hard-earned P3 — Mercedes’ first Miami GP podium.

Williams Shows True Grit

The Grove-based outfit impressed again with sheer pace. While Saturday’s Sprint didn’t go their way — Carlos Sainz suffered a puncture and Albon missed the top ten — Sunday was a redemption story.

Albon delivered a stellar P5 finish, once again showing his maturity and speed under pressure. Sainz, engaged in a fierce midfield battle, brought home a solid P9. Together, they added 12 points to Williams’ growing tally and continued to punch above their weight.

Ferrari: Strategic Misfires and Internal Friction

It was a weekend of contrasts for Ferrari. Saturday saw Charles Leclerc crash on his out lap to the grid, ending his Sprint before it began. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton capitalized on a slick tire gamble to take a surprising P3.

Sunday was far less fruitful. Ferrari lacked race pace, and strategic confusion reigned — with Hamilton on fresher tires stuck behind Leclerc for several laps. Frustrated radio calls highlighted growing tension. The Scuderia crossed the line in P7 and P8, continuing their trend of inconsistent race-day execution.

Aston Martin: Lone Points for Stroll

A chaotic weekend yielded just four points for Aston Martin, courtesy of Lance Stroll’s composed Sunday drive. Fernando Alonso had a forgettable outing, with Sprint-ending contact and a solo spin in the same corner during the race capping off a frustrating weekend.

Alpine’s Tumultuous Turn: On and Off Track

Alpine’s on-track performance continued to underwhelm — Pierre Gasly snatched a single Sprint point, while Jack Doohan’s Grand Prix ended on Lap 1 due to a puncture.

The big story, however, was off-track. Team Principal Oliver Oakes stepped down, replaced by the returning Flavio Briatore. In another shake-up, Doohan was dropped, with Argentine talent Franco Colapinto announced as his replacement for Imola.

Standings


Oscar Piastri now leads the Drivers’ Championship with authority, while McLaren’s back-to-back double podiums have catapulted them into the lead in the Constructors’ standings.

Next Stop: Imola

The paddock now heads to Imola — a track where McLaren traditionally shines. Lando Norris has fond memories here, while Piastri will be keen to extend his winning streak. All eyes will also be on debutant Franco Colapinto and whether Max Verstappen can claw back momentum in the title fight.

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

Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 7, 2025

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Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

May 7 2025 – a date Jack Doohan will never forget – marked the day that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto was announced as Doohan’s replacement at Alpine. Son of Mick Doohan, Australian rookie Jack Doohan had been under pressure of losing his seat way before he got to start his first full season at Albert Park, his home race. Rumours of him having only 5 races to prove his worth, until eventually being replaced by Colapinto, started spreading across the paddock during F1 testing. And since then, it had only gotten worse for Doohan with his rookie errors, and sub-par performance.

With a top tier start to his karting career, the kid from Gold Coast, Queensland, seemed to be destined for greatness. The son of a five-time MotoGP World Champion, introduced to racing in a kart gifted by a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion – it was a story that set the stage for Doohan’s career. Unfortunately for him, genes and funding were not enough to save his short-lived Formula 1 career at Alpine.

Let’s review his performance across the seven races he took part in as an Alpine driver.

Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto

SEASON OPENERS

Jack Doohan had a lukewarm debut in Melbourne, having qualified P14 , with his teammate Pierre Gasly outqualifying him at P9. The wet season opener was a tricky race for the rookies as even F1 veterans, like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, struggled to keep the car on track. Doohan under slippery conditions ended his race in the barriers, at turn 5 on the first lap.

Jack expressed his views on his disappointing start to the season during post-race interviews:

“Lesson Learned.”

Shanghai was an opportunity for Doohan to come back stronger after a disappointing season opener in front of his home crowd. Despite starting the Sprint Race at P16, he finished last at P20.

Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

Jack was also given a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Gabriel Bortoleto, but the penalty made no difference, as he qualified P20 anyway. He was handed another 10-second time penalty during the race for forcing Isack Hadjar off the track, resulting in him finishing P13.

ASIAN TRIPLE HEADER

The Japanese GP was an uneventful race, with the top 10 finishing in the same order as they qualified, apart from Lewis Hamilton and Isack Hadjar swapping between P7 and P8. In contrast, Jack Doohan’s P15 finish, having started 4 places below – at P19 – sounds delightful. But despite his efforts of maintaining a clean race, he’ll be remembered for his crash during FP2. Doohan forgot to manually press the DRS button to close the rear wing flap, resulting in a hefty crash at Turn 1. Although it was similar to Marcus Ericsson’s infamous crash due to DRS failure at Monza 2018, in Doohan’s case, it was confirmed to be a driver error, rather than a mechanical failure.

After the pre-season testing at Bahrain, the teams had enough data about the track and their cars to bring necessary upgrades. Alpine’s package seemed promising as Doohan put his car up at a career-best P11 in qualifying, which he converted into a P14 in the race, earning a 5-second time penalty for impeding track limits.

Jeddah, another uneventful race for Doohan, was where he qualified P17 and ended the race in the same position, while his teammate Gasly retired due to collision damage.

FLAWED AT FLORIDA

Miami being a sprint weekend, provided Doohan with 2 separate racing events to prove his worth to his team. He qualified P17 for the sprint and remained at the back of the field, only finishing ahead of Max Verstappen, who dropped to last after his 10-second time penalty. Unfortunately, this seemed to be the highlight of his weekend as he retired after a collision with Lawson on the first lap of the Grand Prix.

Alpine Struggles

The BWT Alpine F1 Team stands at 9th position in the World Constructors Championship 2025 with 7 points – merely one point ahead of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber at 10th. With the Doohan drama going on, Oliver Oakes, Alpine’s team principal, seemed to be his only support within the team. Oakes – who relaunched Hitech GP, a British motor racing team in 2015 – is close with Jack, as he raced for the same team in the F3 Asian Championship in 2019. As power struggles arise within the team during discussions related to Doohan’s future, they issued a statement on 7th May 2025 announcing Oliver’s resignation with immediate effect.

The news of Flavio Briatore taking over Oliver Oakes’ role at the team was music to Colapinto’s ears, as he had been very critical of Doohan from the start while praising the Argentine throughout.

Flavio comments on the situation, denying favouritism rumours:

“I don’t accept it when they say that Doohan was under pressure, because when you arrive in Formula 1, everyone is under pressure.”

Multiple reports claimed that Franco Colapinto was set to replace Doohan from the Imola GP. And just 12 hours after Oliver’s resignment, BWT Alpine F1 Team announces the Franco-Doohan swap with immediate effect. It all lined up perfectly for Franco Colapinto but also for Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, who had been looking for his comeback in Formula 1 after being banned from the sport in 2008 for cheating scandals.

Although it has been stated that Franco makes the step up only for the next 5 races, judging by his past performances and Alpine’s bias towards him, it looks like he is here to stay for the remainder of the season. He will be closely monitored till the Austrian GP as Jack Doohan still stays with the team, taking on the role of first-choice Reserve Driver.

Alpine’s choice to let Franco take the seat, albeit rushed, seems justified. The young Argentine’s Formula 1 track record is exceptional, having made his debut with Williams last year as he replaced the underperforming Logan Sargeant. He performed really well and kept his then-teammate Alex Albon on his toes. In his second race at Baku, he outscored Nicolas Latifi and Logan Sargeant’s total points tally in 68 GPs, finishing P8.

Even though Jack didn’t deliver his best performance, you can’t not feel bad for the rookie. 6 races should not be the benchmark for a rookie to perform at the highest levels, but unfortunately in this day and age of Formula 1, it is pretty much do or die. With multiple young talents waiting for you to slip up, make a mistake, and snatch your seat, average performance sees no place to thrive.

Doohan says, after the swap:

“I will keep my head down, keep working hard.”

It is tough to see someone’s career start with a kart gifted from seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, and end abruptly with only 7 races under his name. Never finishing in points and 2 DNFs; we, with a heavy heart, bid goodbye to Jack Doohan.

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