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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekend Schedule
