Following a dramatic start to the season in Australia, Formula 1 is gearing up for another unpredictable race at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.
Oscar Piastri will start from pole position, sharing the front row with George Russell. Behind them are Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, the top contenders from last season, on a circuit known for its demanding tire wear throughout the weekend.
Track position was key in Saturday`s Sprint race, won by Lewis Hamilton, suggesting an intense first lap with plenty of overtaking opportunities in the initial stages.
Hamilton starts fifth, alongside his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. Given Hamilton`s Sprint race pace, he could also be a contender for victory on Sunday.
Adding to the excitement, the Shanghai International Circuit is recognized as one of the toughest tracks for front tires during the year.
With high tire degradation expected, Pirelli predicts that each driver will need to make two pit stops. This strategy is anticipated to create a dynamic and thrilling 56-lap Grand Prix.
Karun Chandhok commented on the strategic possibilities, noting that a two-stop race with varied tire choices could lead to drivers starting on hard tires for longer stints, making strategy and driver performance crucial for an engaging race.
Polesitter Piastri emphasized the importance of tire preservation, highlighting that drivers who managed their tires effectively in the morning practice were the fastest. He noted the high levels of degradation and graining observed, possibly the most seen in a while.
Mercedes Identified as a Potential Threat to McLaren
Despite some rain-related complications in the previous race, McLaren demonstrated top performance in Australia. However, in Shanghai, the situation is less clear, even though Piastri secured pole position.
Norris, who started sixth and finished eighth in the Sprint after some minor errors due to challenging MCL39 handling, still believes McLaren should have strong race pace. He mentioned that the car is fast but not easy to handle, which comes with trade-offs. He hopes for a clean race with good teamwork to achieve a strong result.
Norris pointed out the difficulty of managing front tires during the Sprint, emphasizing the uncertainty of tire behavior in Sunday`s race. He highlighted that tire management in Shanghai is unique, focusing on graining rather than just temperature control, unlike in Australia where managing intermediate tire temperatures was key.
Norris specifically identified Mercedes as a team with strength in tire management, recalling their strong performance in Las Vegas where they managed front tires exceptionally well. He believes this strength could make them competitive in the Chinese GP. Norris concluded by stating his focus is on personal performance and aiming for a good race.
George Russell had previously suggested McLaren`s 2025 car should dominate this season, even surpassing Red Bull`s dominance in 2023. However, in Shanghai, Russell positioned his car between the two McLarens on the grid, just 0.082 seconds from Piastri`s pole, thanks to a remarkable final lap in Q3.
Russell expressed confidence in his and Mercedes` potential, acknowledging McLaren as still favorites but aiming to overtake Piastri at the start and see how the race unfolds.
Verstappen, Hamilton, and Leclerc`s Prospects
Max Verstappen, despite ongoing challenges with his Red Bull car, remains a frontrunner, qualifying fourth after a third-place Sprint finish. However, Verstappen downplayed his chances of winning the race, stating that his car isn`t fast enough.
Verstappen described feeling comfortable driving but noted inconsistencies in the car`s response to his inputs, making it difficult to perfect every corner. He also mentioned that this inconsistency could lead to increased tire degradation compared to competitors, which is not ideal for race conditions.
Despite these car issues, Verstappen feels he is driving at his best, executing well in qualifying and races but acknowledges that a lack of race pace is a significant limitation.
Ferrari could pose a significant threat to the top three, especially given the SF-25`s effective tire management in the Sprint race.
Hamilton mentioned that set-up adjustments before qualifying made his car “trickier” due to wind and inconsistent balance compared to earlier sessions. He hopes these changes will be advantageous for the longer race distance. Hamilton acknowledged that while qualifying was challenging, Ferrari has potential and needs to consistently unlock pace throughout the race weekend.
Hamilton emphasized the team`s hunger for victory after tasting success and recognized the challenges ahead for the race, but remains focused on the necessary improvements.
Leclerc tempered expectations, stating that while the goal is always to win, a podium finish would be a positive outcome given their grid position.
