959 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

风向转变时, 有人筑墙,有人造风车

When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills

 

Five years ago, F1 celebrated race 1,000 at the Shanghai International Circuit. Finally, we return for race 1,106.

 

The contrast of then and now can be summed up by the scheduling of the first Sprint Weekend of the season - new-and-improved for 2024 - with a tweaked format and relaxation of parc ferme (don't say lockdown!) rules the main features.

 

With ground effect regulations untested in China, as well as a new surface for the teams and tyres to grasp, with only one practice session it feels like a Step Into The Unknown for Round 5 of the 2024 Formula One World Championship!

 

 

 

Summary for Shanghai

 

It was back to winning ways for Verstappen and co. in Suzuka, and a 1-2 to boot as Perez confirmed his strong start to the year. It's hard to make predictions - will Red Bull struggle in higher downforce trim, will the new surface trigger their graining woes? Adaptability is one of Max's core strengths, and he'll need it this weekend.

 

Ferrari's all-round prowess has stood out in the opening quartet of races, and will serve them well in China. The McLaren threat should fade away, leaving them unimpeded to take another run at the front. All eyes on the driver pairing as Sainz carries great form into the weekend, but Leclerc is sure to strike back soon.

 

It is expected that McLaren will take a step back from the podium battle, as Shanghai's slow and medium speed corners play to their historic weaknesses. Speaking of history, this track has always favoured Mercedes, even before the hybrid era. Can Lewis kickstart his season at one of his best tracks? Aston and Alonso are again somewhat of a wildcard, but just the tonic in case of a zany, disrupted grand prix.

 

Elsewhere, one the main stories is that Zhou Guanyu finally makes his home race bow. Good luck to him. Continuing the Sauber theme, teammate Bottas has started the season in great form and usually goes well here, always a dab hand on a green surface.

 

Haas have firmly inserted themselves into the midfield conversation, and will look to build on said momentum with a big upgrade (Magnussen only). In-season development has been their shortcoming for many, many years, so a brave decision and important weekend.

 

RB and Tsunoda will be aiming for a hat-trick of points finishes, something Yuki hasn't yet achieved in his young career. Ricciardo gets his wish for a new chassis. Speaking of chassis, it's another trepidatious weekend for Williams, although Albon will remember his storming pit-lane to points drive in 2019. Finally, Alpine bring up the rear as rumours of a possible sale swirl.

 

 

Akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, F1 is trying once again to make The Sprint happen. The new-for-2024 format is as follows:

 

Friday

Free Practice 1 (60 mins)

Sprint Shootout (Qualifying for the Sprint Race)

 

Saturday

Sprint Race (19 laps)

Qualifying (for the Main Race)

 

Sunday

Grand Prix (56 laps)

 

Parc ferme will begin as normal at the start of the sprint shootout, but will then be unlocked after the sprint race, allowing teams to change their setup for qualifying proper, before closing again.

 

Tyres and Weather

 

 

A sensible choice from Pirelli, who have gone straight down the middle with a C2-3-4 selection. However, front pressures of 26psi and rear pressures of 22psi are a ludicrous 5.5psi and 3.5psi increase in comparison to 2019. Seriously?

 

Fri - 22C/72F, cloudy

Sat - 22C/72F, cloudy

Sun - 20C/68F, cloudy

 

The threat of rain looms on all three days.

 

Schedule

       BST     CEST
FP1    0430    0530
SS     0830    0930

SR     0400    0500
Q      0800    0900

R      0800    0900

Convert to my time zone

 

Chinese F4 and Carrera Cup Asia supporting. There is also an "Opening Show" scheduled pre-race. Full schedule.

 

--

 

Thoughts, predictions, sprint scepticism, and assorted Chinese proverbs all welcome below

Edited by TomNokoe, 17 April 2024 - 07:38.

[southernstars]

Never raced in Shanghai:
Piastri, Sargeant, Tsunoda, Zhou

Only 1 race:
Norris, Albon, Russell

Eight drivers with minimal experience is quite a lot in relative terms.

I imagine James Vowles, in particular, has impressed on both his drivers the extreme importance of getting to Sunday unscathed.

Personally I think the new Sprint format will flop. Everyone will be being extra careful in the race because they know they have qualifying after.

[ARTGP]

With modern simulators, there's very little excuse for any driver to not be familiar with the track so I don't think that's going to be an obstacle for those who didn't race here before or those who only raced here once. 

Edited by ARTGP, 17 April 2024 - 00:15.

[404KF2]

Ah, the Winnie the Pooh GP. I'll pass.

[Nemo1965]

That combination of corner 2 and 3 at this track must be the most annoying corner ever designed, the driving equivalent of Chinese water torture. You just have to wait and wait and wait before you turn in after 2 into 3 and then wait and wait and wait before you can apply the throttle. I’m better than most AI cars in this section when I play any sim, but I almost literally gnash my teeth while doing it. I would like to ask Max or Lewis how they can endure it in real life.

Great OP, btw, much appreciated!

[sportyskells]

I glad China is back and this one I can easily wake up for

[PayasYouRace]

So much for my sleep this weekend.

 

This is also round 3/4 of the PaYR Asia-Pacific Cup and round 1 of the PaYR Sprint Cup, for those following my alternative championship.

[Anja]

Nice for Zhou to finally get his home Grand Prix. And the driver he was rooting for 19 years ago will be on the grid too 

 

 

The story behind Guanyu Zhou's photo at the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix

Edited by Anja, 17 April 2024 - 06:42.

[JimmyClark]

Does anybody know if the track has been resurfaced? I keep seeing mixed reports online.

I don't think drivers who have raced here before will have too much advantage; F1 is so different since 2019, that it will be quite novel for everyone.

I won't be getting up for the sprint, but obviously I will for the race.

[blackmme]

I'm thoroughly looking forward to this. 

 

I've always enjoyed the race in China and there's something I now like about 'Old School 90's/00's Tilke Mega Circuits' (I'd like Malaysia back as well) and I think the track will really suit this generation of cars.

Obviously we know or are at least 99% certain of who is going to win but behind that I expect it to be a really good race.

 

On a side note, if Dani Ric cannot re-find his mojo here then it really is sadly lost forever....

 

Regards Mike

[Heyli]

Wonder how many people would be getting up for the sprint. Would be interesting to see the viewing figures there. I might turn it on if I happen to wake up early enough.

 

Can be quite some surprising results returning to the track after five years with only 1 training. 

[Yoshi]

Glad to see them back on this track, but sadly we go into a sprint weekend.

[monolulu]

Does anybody know if the track has been resurfaced? I keep seeing mixed reports online.

I don't think drivers who have raced here before will have too much advantage; F1 is so different since 2019, that it will be quite novel for everyone.

I won't be getting up for the sprint, but obviously I will for the race.

Yes it has been resurfaced. That plus rain will be an ice rink 

[WouterF1]

Does anybody know if the track has been resurfaced? I keep seeing mixed reports online.

I don't think drivers who have raced here before will have too much advantage; F1 is so different since 2019, that it will be quite novel for everyone.

I won't be getting up for the sprint, but obviously I will for the race.

 

 

Yes it has been resurfaced. That plus rain will be an ice rink 

 

There is more info about the new asphalt. It is a chinese article so just a translation needed. It won't be an ice rink at all.

 

https://www.cnr.cn/s...526645874.shtml

Edited by WouterF1, 17 April 2024 - 08:41.

[Ruusperi]

Ah, the Winnie the Pooh GP. I'll pass.

Wonder what happened if Hamilton and Verstappen wore Winnie the Pooh or Taiwan independence movement symbols on their helmet? I would certainly do it, because they can't put F1 superstars in jail.

 

Anyway, going to sleep through most sessions. Luckily there's WEC in Imola and WRC in Croatia in proper watching time.

Edited by Ruusperi, 17 April 2024 - 08:43.

[SCUDmissile]

The drains that will fly

[KWSN - DSM]

I will be up for live coverage qualifying, sprint and race.

[ATM]

Yes it has been resurfaced. That plus rain will be an ice rink

Good news for Stroll then, I seem to remember he fared exceptionally well at Turkey în similar circumstances.

[PayasYouRace]

Yes it has been resurfaced. That plus rain will be an ice rink

[PayasYouRace]

Wonder what happened if Hamilton and Verstappen wore Winnie the Pooh or Taiwan independence movement symbols on their helmet? I would certainly do it, because they can't put F1 superstars in jail.

Anyway, going to sleep through most sessions. Luckily there's WEC in Imola and WRC in Croatia in proper watching time.

Winnie the Pooh is public domain now, so as long as it’s not the Disney version, they’re good.

My idea of peaceful protest involves freedom of expression such as this. If I was I billionaire, I’d paradrop as many Winnie the Pooh plushies over Beijing as I could.

[SenorSjon]

Wonder how many people would be getting up for the sprint. Would be interesting to see the viewing figures there. I might turn it on if I happen to wake up early enough.

 

Can be quite some surprising results returning to the track after five years with only 1 training. 

 

Well, Sprint is scheduled for 5 AM. Proper qualy and race at 9.00 AM. All CET. So I'll value my nights sleep over the sprint misery.

 

Perhaps I missed something, what's up with the Disney characters?

Edited by SenorSjon, 17 April 2024 - 09:38.

[jcbc3]

Well, Sprint is scheduled for 5 AM. Proper qualy and race at 9.00 AM. All CET. So I'll value my nights sleep over the sprint misery.

 

Perhaps I missed something, what's up with the Disney characters?

 

https://en.wikipedia...e-Pooh_in_China

 

TL;dr

 

Xi Jinpin doesn't like to be compared

 

[1player]

This would be my first time watching the Chinese GP. How are you guys liking the circuit? Is it a fun one, or not?

[FLB]

This would be my first time watching the Chinese GP. How are you guys liking the circuit? Is it a fun one, or not?

My overriding memory of the track:

 

[PayasYouRace]

This would be my first time watching the Chinese GP. How are you guys liking the circuit? Is it a fun one, or not?

Quite bland to look at but seems to work for good racing. Many interesting and challenging corners though little elevation change. Very much the classic Tilkedrome. Fun to drive and produces a good rhythm.

[blackmme]

This would be my first time watching the Chinese GP. How are you guys liking the circuit? Is it a fun one, or not?

 

Yep excellent circuit. 

 

Nemo mentioned earlier that in Sim Racing the first section is tortuous but it does seem to encourage drivers taking a different line.  The rest of the circuit has excellent flow and thanks to the huge monolithic stand and bridge it certainly has a sense of scale.  I really used to like the panning shot from the TV director as the cars rounded 13 and then cut away to a very distant view of the cars as they headed down the very long, very wide back straight.  Because the entry and exit for the final hairpin is so wide it again encourages different lines (I think it's inevitable that for those watching Sky in the UK we are going to hear the phrase 'The old switcheroo' uttered a few times....)

 

Regards Mike

[Anja]

My overriding memory of the track:

 

 

And shortly after, Kubica going off the track with a mechanical failure just after he got into the lead. With a strategy that could've seen him fighting for the win. I think it was my first heartbreak while watching F1.

[KWSN - DSM]

Over/under on more than 200.000 paying spectators?

[PayasYouRace]

Over/under on more than 200.000 paying spectators?

How do we know who’s paying and who’s CCP filler?

[KWSN - DSM]

How do we know who’s paying and who’s CCP filler?

 

Someone must know the numbers of tickets bought in lumps off 6 or less, then add the official travel companies getting chunks in different countries.

[KWSN - DSM]

Based on this I go with the under.

 

"The 2019 Chinese Grand Prix, which was the 1000th race in Formula One history, had a significant turnout. The event was reported to have sold out, and it drew the largest crowd seen at the Shanghai International Circuit in many years. The total attendance over the three days of the Grand Prix weekend was 160,000 fans. This marked a considerable increase in attendance, reflecting the milestone nature of the race and the growing popularity of Formula One in China."

[TomNokoe]

Never raced in Shanghai:
Piastri, Sargeant, Tsunoda, Zhou

Peculiar that Zhou has never raced here. I presume he's driven at some point, it's just not recorded.

[Mat13]

My overriding memory of the track:

BAAH. The pain.

[LolaB0860]

Quite bland to look at but seems to work for good racing.

The grey smog and pollution surrounding the circuit most of the time is unique lol

(At least now that India is no longer on calendar)

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 April 2024 - 14:59.

[JeanAlesi27]

My overriding memory of the track:

 

 

"We were racing Alonso"

[MKSixer]

I will be up for live coverage qualifying, sprint and race.

Me too!  Looking forward to it!!

[ANF]

PIt stop time loss in 2019 was 22.5–25.7s, typically 23.8–24.4s.

[loki]

Finally, a proper rawceek.  Sprint race…

[TomNokoe]

My overriding memory of the track:

I was only 12 when this happened, and looking back didn't really understand it. I rewatched it for the first time probably 7-8 years later and genuinely had a lump in my throat. Watching Fuji is also bittersweet. How did it slip away

[JL14]

My overriding memory of the track:

 

 

Remember 2005 when Schumacher and Albers crash before the race start, and in the race Schumacher spins out into the gravel.

Probably one of Michaels worst races.

[balmybaldwin]

I seem to recall a tendency for drivers to be a bit quick with right foot coming out of the last corner and spreading their cars across the track?

[Astandahl]

Remember 2005 when Schumacher and Albers crash before the race start, and in the race Schumacher spins out into the gravel.

Probably one of Michaels worst races.

Agreed.

The funny thing is that his 2006 performance was probably one of the best in his career.

[FirstnameLastname]

DRS fest down the straights? Hope it’s not too powerful

[southernstars]

Peculiar that Zhou has never raced here. I presume he's driven at some point, it's just not recorded.

 

Not that peculiar. Oscar had never raced at Albert Park, either, until last year. It's what happens when the sport demands you pick up and move to Europe as a child to have a chance.

 

Watching Fuji is also bittersweet. How did it slip away

 

"It's kids, isn't it? They do well for a while then they **** it all up."

 

It will never get any less frustrating that Hamilton was driving like an idiot and Vettel wasn't even watching and both got away with wrecking Mark's race.

[SB]

风向转变时, 有人筑墙,有人造风车

 

 

 

As a native Chinese speaking person for 40(+) years , I have never heard anyone saying this !

 

We have watermills for thousands of years but only have windmills in last 100 years 

[Scotracer]

Remember 2005 when Schumacher and Albers crash before the race start, and in the race Schumacher spins out into the gravel.
Probably one of Michaels worst races.

And 2004 was strangely off the boil too.

[Boxerevo]

I know for the ones that don't celebrate Lewis, Shangai 2007 will always be a delicious and is ok, there are many moments to cheer against.

 

But me as a fan, this doesn't me piss off as others mistakes... Lewis was without that rear right tyre, it was a absurd Mclaren not call him, he was barely staying on track already on those 2 last laps of him.

 

And we won here 6 times, so we had our share of fun here too.

Edited by Boxerevo, 18 April 2024 - 15:55.

[Benchulo]

Well Lewis has won here 6 times. Twice with McLaren. Nobody is even close. Apart from him, only Fernando and Nico have won more than once in Shanghai.

Edited by Benchulo, 18 April 2024 - 03:44.

[vlado]

Well Lewis has won here 6 times. Twice with McLaren. Nobody is even close. Apart from him, only Fernando and Nico have won more than once in Shanghai.

 

Russel doesn't stand a chance 

[Stephane]

Finally, a proper rawceek.  Sprint race…

 

rawe ceek