110 replies to this topic

[SophieB]

Like buses, you wait ages for one GP and then two come along (almost) at once. Yes, it's back to back races and we're off to China.

 

 

 
The F1.com guidance notes how the track was "designed to look like the Chinese symbol for ‘shang’, meaning upward" and so I'm sure that's right. I always think it looks like a stylised £ sign, though. Has anything startling ever happened at this track? the answer is no, no it hasn't Definitely nothing involving pitting with worn tyres. Oh wait! Nico Rosberg won his first Grand Prix here, I think. There we go, that's something that wasn't traumatising.
 
(image via F1.com)

Anyway, races around here have been a bit of a mixed bag as they've struggled to get the DRS right. Still, let's hope, eh?

Also, it's a Sprint weekend.

 

 

Wing News!

 

 

"The FIA requested to the teams to use cameras in Free Practice Sessions to monitor the on-track deformations exhibited by the cars during the Australian Grand Prix," the governing body said in a statement.

"Having analysed footage from the rear wing deformations combined to the static deflections measured inside the FIA garage in Melbourne, the FIA has concluded that sufficient grounds exist for a tougher test to be introduced from the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix on the upper rear wing.

"More specifically, Article 3.15.17, introduced in 2025, states that if 75kg of vertical load is applied on either extremity of the rear wing mainplane, the distance between the mainplane and the flap (also known as “slot gap”) must not vary by more than 2mm. From the forthcoming Grand Prix in Shanghai, this limit will be reduced to 0.5mm. Due to the short notice for Shanghai only a tolerance of 0.25mm will be added to this new limit."

The FIA said all teams were informed on Monday morning of the decision to revise its technical directive, and stressed that all cars were found to be legal over the Australian GP weekend.

 

 

 
 When is it on? GMT times, local times + 8 hours

 

 

(Image via Autosport)

[Risil]

Apparently:

[Risil]

I was thinking I hadn't seen a Chinese GP for a long time, certainly not since the Covid pandemic, then I discovered it only rejoined the calendar last year. Max Verstappen won that one (of course), leading home Lando Norris.

 

Track doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling but I don't really hate it either. I'm glad it's not a street circuit (wasn't there an idea to have one of these in Shanghai in the 2010s?) anyway.

[DevilDare]

The Sprint is on at 3am? Well then...

[7MGTEsup]

Track doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling but I don't really hate it either. I'm glad it's not a street circuit (wasn't there an idea to have one of these in Shanghai in the 2010s?) anyway.

 

The first two corners are a bit odd but the rest of the track is ok.

[Risil]

IIRC Nico Rosberg's first Grand Prix win in 2012 also had a bizarre early Pirelli era moment when Kimi Raikkonen stayed out on worn tyres and an increasingly long and anxious train of cars built up behind him. I remember that being fun.

 

Best ever Chinese GP was 2006, of course.

[Risil]

The first two corners are a bit odd but the rest of the track is ok.

 

How many degrees would the first corner measure as? 300?

 

Close to realizing my dream of a corkscrew corner that's more than 360 degrees in radius and then carries on by means of a tunnel or bridge to get them out of the ever decreasing loop.

[noikeee]

Like buses, you wait ages for one GP and then two come along (almost) at once. Yes, it's back to back races and we're off to China.

 

No, it's three buses. There's a sprint race too...

 

Would I wake up middle of the night just for a damn sprint? Ehhhh.. maybe not. But the bus is there. A sad, empty bus.

[Brawn BGP 001]

I will record the sprint and watch it just before quali.

Edited by Brawn BGP 001, 17 March 2025 - 15:55.

[sportyskells]

playlist sprint but otherwise eating breakfast while watch f1

[vlado]

Chance of rain: 0%

[MattK9]

Rear wing flexi-gate incoming this weekend.

 

The teams have no time to fly new parts out from the factory so will have to modify wings to flex less onsite.

[Button4life]

My body is so ready for another McLaren domination

[PayasYouRace]

I think my favourite moment from this race will forever be Michael Schumacher hitting that Minardi on the reconnaissance lap in the early years.

 

Its a fun enough track in sims but it’s usually quite uninspiring to watch, for me.

[Eyeshield]

How much of an advantage / disadvantage is starting from pole here?

[7MGTEsup]

How many degrees would the first corner measure as? 300?

 

Close to realizing my dream of a corkscrew corner that's more than 360 degrees in radius and then carries on by means of a tunnel or bridge to get them out of the ever decreasing loop.

 

It must be getting on for 300 degrees.

 

If you made your corkscrew corner banked at 30 degrees it could also be really fast.

[DevilDare]

How much of an advantage / disadvantage is starting from pole here?

 

10 wins from pole, 12 from the front row.

[Autodromo]

Turns 1-3 are purpose-built to create L1 crashes

[Risil]

It must be getting on for 300 degrees.

 

If you made your corkscrew corner banked at 30 degrees it could also be really fast.

 

It would also resemble those big charity coin receptacles you used to get at leisure centres where you popped your 10p in and watched it roll down helix-wise until it reached the tray at the bottom. (Did these have names? They were everywhere, like those rubbish bins shaped like a big cartoon frog.)

[KPower]

I think this is an easy win for McLaren.

 

I could see Ferrari finishing around the same place they did in Australia. Last year the SF-24 was decidedly less competitive in China vs Albert Park. The SF-25 is a different car, but Leclerc has already noted that the track won't favor Ferrari, similar to what he said last year. 

Edited by KPower, 17 March 2025 - 16:44.

[MattK9]

Turns 1-3 are purpose-built to create L1 crashes

 

I really like the multiple racing lines that can be taken through Turns 1-4 that mean the possibility of non DRS overtakes into Turn 6 hairpin

[Frood]

It would also resemble those big charity coin receptacles you used to get at leisure centres where you popped your 10p in and watched it roll down helix-wise until it reached the tray at the bottom. (Did these have names? They were everywhere, like those rubbish bins shaped like a big cartoon frog.)

My very scientific Google search of “charity coin dome helix spinny thing” seems to suggest it’s called a “coin vortex” (I prefer mine tbh)

That’s opposed to a Coyne vortex, i.e the inevitable conclusion to any IndyCar race containing DRACONE

Edited by Frood, 17 March 2025 - 16:55.

[Benchulo]

My most memorable race is from 2018. Red Bulls pitting for softs during the late safety car, Verstappen colliding with Vettel and the Ferrari tumbling down the order, Alonso overtaking him in the final lap, Ricciardo's classic late-breaking overtake on Bottas for the win.

Edited by Benchulo, 17 March 2025 - 17:05.

[Beri]

Ni hao!

[SophieB]

Everyone remembers the time that Lewis did this, but connoisseurs remember Jenson accidentally stopping in the wrong box, at this racetrack back in 2011.

 

https://www.facebook...94753707515998/

[chdphd]

Track doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling but I don't really hate it either. I'm glad it's not a street circuit (wasn't there an idea to have one of these in Shanghai in the 2010s?) anyway.

The DTM did a street race in 2010 which became famous for this incident.

 

[Risil]

The DTM did a street race in 2010 which became famous for this incident.

 

That was 2004, I think. Impressive they managed to do the same thing to Montoya the following year at the permanent circuit!

[Anderis]

IIRC Nico Rosberg's first Grand Prix win in 2012 also had a bizarre early Pirelli era moment when Kimi Raikkonen stayed out on worn tyres and an increasingly long and anxious train of cars built up behind him. I remember that being fun.

 

Best ever Chinese GP was 2006, of course.

My most memorable race is from 2018. Red Bulls pitting for softs during the late safety car, Verstappen colliding with Vettel and the Ferrari tumbling down the order, Alonso overtaking him in the final lap, Ricciardo's classic late-breaking overtake on Bottas for the win.

All 3 races from 2010 to 2012 in China were immensely entertaining and are probably among my top10 favourite races ever.

 

The 2011 had like 4 or 5 drivers fighting for the race win on merit, not sure if I remember another F1 race like that.

[SophieB]

All 3 races from 2010 to 2012 in China were immensely entertaining and are probably among my top10 favourite races ever.

 

The 2011 had like 4 or 5 drivers fighting for the race win on merit, not sure if I remember another F1 race like that.

Yeah, the 2011 race was great here. Loads of excellent races that year showing that dominance doesn’t necessarily stop it being a terrific season.

[chdphd]

That was 2004, I think. Impressive they managed to do the same thing to Montoya the following year at the permanent circuit!

Aha. I didn't realise they went twice.

 

I remember the Montoya thing, aye. Crazy.

[KWSN - DSM]

No chance of rain mean prediction of a processional race, start and 1st lap will determine most of positions - Will give a better picture of actual and relative strength between the cars/drivers.

[Benchulo]

We could get to see a race between the McLarens. Piastri will be fired up after his race in Melbourne.

[Benchulo]

All 3 races from 2010 to 2012 in China were immensely entertaining and are probably among my top10 favourite races ever.

The 2011 had like 4 or 5 drivers fighting for the race win on merit, not sure if I remember another F1 race like that.

2011 was a classic, also Germany. I have forgotten about the other two.

[SophieB]

2011 was a classic, also Germany. I have forgotten about the other two.

Germany 2011 is my favourite race of all time.

[Jellyfishcake]

Ooof didn't realise this was a sprint weekend.

Will definitely be waking up for qualifying and the main race, but will certainly have to see how I feel for the sprint as thats a brutal time when i've got a busy Satuday ahead

[FirstnameLastname]

‘Welcome along everyone to the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix’

If like us you’re still on a Shang-high from the action a week ago, you’ll be pleased to know we’re doing it all again this weekend!

‘Hadjar was on his chi-knees ’ sobbing his heart out in Melbourne, he’ll be hoping for more this time around - he can Hadjardly do any worse!

And we’re looking forward to seeing how’s Jack Doo-ing after his crash last weekend

Lewis was feeling a little prancing-hoarse after arguing on the radio in Melbourne - hopefully him and his engineer have sorted things out

We’re here on the east edge of Asia, across the Piastri-fic ocean, and he’ll be hoping for less water than the ocean after spinning off on a puddle last time out

[FirstnameLastname]

Ooof didn't realise this was a sprint weekend.
Will definitely be waking up for qualifying and the main race, but will certainly have to see how I feel for the sprint as thats a brutal time when i've got a busy Satuday ahead

You’ll be sprinting to the TV at 3am to cop a load of the action, so keep the volume down Shang-low as you say Shang-Hi to Sky Sports F1 this weekend!

[Risil]

‘Welcome along everyone to the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix’

If like us you’re still on a Shang-high from the action a week ago, you’ll be pleased to know we’re doing it all again this weekend!

‘Hadjar was on his chi-knees ’ sobbing his heart out in Melbourne, he’ll be hoping for more this time around - he can Hadjardly do any worse!

And we’re looking forward to seeing how’s Jack Doo-ing after his crash last weekend

Lewis was feeling a little prancing-hoarse after arguing on the radio in Melbourne - hopefully him and his engineer have sorted things out

We’re here on the east edge of Asia, across the Piastri-fic ocean, and he’ll be hoping for less water than the ocean after spinning off on a puddle last time out

After "Shang-high" this went downhill fast!

[ClubmanGT]

‘Welcome along everyone to the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix’

If like us you’re still on a Shang-high from the action a week ago, you’ll be pleased to know we’re doing it all again this weekend!

‘Hadjar was on his chi-knees ’ sobbing his heart out in Melbourne, he’ll be hoping for more this time around - he can Hadjardly do any worse!

And we’re looking forward to seeing how’s Jack Doo-ing after his crash last weekend

Lewis was feeling a little prancing-hoarse after arguing on the radio in Melbourne - hopefully him and his engineer have sorted things out

We’re here on the east edge of Asia, across the Piastri-fic ocean, and he’ll be hoping for less water than the ocean after spinning off on a puddle last time out

 

quiet you fool, he'll hear you 

[LolaB0860]

Isn't this usually a DRS fest? Or am I remembering some other Tilkering that looks the same. But at least the long back straight is easy DRS flyby zone right?

 

This weekend, there's F1 Academy, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and some new GT4 series from SRO making it's debut event here for some reason. It seems like the Chinese F4 has collapsed or something since it's not in the list anymore

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 March 2025 - 19:09.

[Baddoer]

I was thinking I hadn't seen a Chinese GP for a long time, certainly not since the Covid pandemic, then I discovered it only rejoined the calendar last year. Max Verstappen won that one (of course), leading home Lando Norris.

 

 

Don't forget Guanyu Zhou moment. Best moment in F1 history books.

[aportinga]

Something tells me that Lewis is going to be a DNF this weekend.

[jonpollak]

‘Welcome along everyone to the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix’

If like us you’re still on a Shang-high from the action a week ago, you’ll be pleased to know we’re doing it all again this weekend!

‘Hadjar was on his chi-knees ’ sobbing his heart out in Melbourne, he’ll be hoping for more this time around - he can Hadjardly do any worse!

And we’re looking forward to seeing how’s Jack Doo-ing after his crash last weekend

Lewis was feeling a little prancing-hoarse after arguing on the radio in Melbourne - hopefully him and his engineer have sorted things out

We’re here on the east edge of Asia, across the Piastri-fic ocean, and he’ll be hoping for less water than the ocean after spinning off on a puddle last time out

Jp

[LolaB0860]

Well we all know what was the actually best moment in Chinese GP history.

 

 

 

 

 

When we have smog-free event, of course.

[PitViperRacing]

I get the feeling that this is going to be a comfortable McLaren 1-2.

[basimi]

I get the feeling that this is going to be a comfortable McLaren 1-2.

I believe all races will be a comfortable McLaren 1-2

[Anja]

I believe all races will be a comfortable McLaren 1-2

 

Like Verstappen was supposed to win all races last year?

[Nemo1965]

I say it every year but I don’t care: that combination of corner 3 and 4 is the ultimate driver water torture ever designed. I did a dozen or so laps today in the sim and again I can hear Jeremy Clarkson in my head in his highest pitched voice: ‘Please make it stop!’

[basimi]

Like Verstappen was supposed to win all races last year?

Yes, as he was supposed to. I ofcourse understand that there will be outliers, but I will be very much surprised if this dominance will continue. Even with the Barcelona adjustments. The difference between McLaren and the rest on the back end of the stints is just too big to make it an interesting battle imo. I know one race is maybe too short to tell, but the indicators are there.

[The Passenger]

The Shanghai track shape looks so much like Homestarrunner's The Cheat.



So excited about another race so soon!