Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2025Formula 1

[Jimlaad43]

Formula 1 returned with an absolute banger in Australia as rain turned a tricky season opener into an utter carnage-fest and helped to not really answer many questions about the pecking order of the season, as the meme economy was feeding well after so many moments of insanity. We head up to the Northern Hemisphere for the second return of Shanghai post-COVID. The first sprint weekend will technically be Isack Hadjar's first start, so we still have a rookie making race debut. The Sprint Format starts here too, so only 1 practice session before they're into qualifying and racing. How much are the McLaren's the favourites? We will see at the CHINESE GRAND PRIX!

First Grand Prix
2004

Number of Laps
56

Circuit Length
5.451 km

Race Distance
305.066 km

Lap Record
1:32.238 Michael Schumacher (2004)

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[Fezzik]

Sprint race, oh joy. Looks like qualifying for that is during my Friday morning commute, so I can safely ignore it all.

 

[RACECAR]

Early forecast appears to indicate a 25% chance of rain for Sunday's main race.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Sprint race, oh joy. Looks like qualifying for that is during my Friday morning commute, so I can safely ignore it all.

Still better than practice sessions. I recall China sprint qualifying being very good last year and the race was decent too.

 

[RACECAR]

Not too big on Sprint qualifying myself, but then again I'm usually not keen on gimmicks in Motorsports usually (The Chase, whatever the Hell Supeecars is doing). Most of the time they reek of execs (Either series or TV) completely out-of-touch and trying to cater to a crowd that doesn't exist.

 

[Jezza819]

Turn 1 & 2 have been tricky in this session.

 

[McLaren]

It is only Practice, but all the Red Bulls are in the bottom 5 outside Yuki in 10th. Ferrari & McLaren lead the way w/ a surprise Hulk at 6th.

 

[Fezzik]

Oh Liam.
Well done to Bearman getting that pig of a Haas through and Bortoleto also into SQ2 with Hulk knocked out.

 

[McLaren]

Lawson finishes last in Sprint Qualifying, reporting he could not get the power down. Hadjar grabs 9th, Yuki 11th, Max 5th.

Ham, Norris, LeClerc, Piastri show Ferrari & McLaren again leading the pack.

 

[Fezzik]

Alonso and Sainz out in SQ2, beaten by their teammates.

The McLarens are so strong in sector 3 with the long straight.

 

[McLaren]

HAM VER is back on the menu.

Edit* Crofty reporting Lewis broke the lap record.

 

[Fezzik]

Lewis and Max on the front row.

 

[NickGuy]

WEWIS WAMILTON WDC BACK ON BOIS

 

[Fezzik]

HAM VER is back on the menu.

Edit* Crofty reporting Lewis broke the lap record.

The top 4 all broke Vettel’s old record

 

[Jimlaad43]

The top 4 all broke Vettel’s old record

Yep. 1:31.095 was the old record set in 2018

 

[Fezzik]

Ugh, I’m going to have to get up at 3am now. Thanks a lot, Lewis.

 

[AshenGraey]

I know this is just the sprint but I didn't think it was going to be set up like this. Lewis and Max on the front with faster McLarens behind. Can't wait to see this. Wish it was the actual race lol.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Get in there Lewis.

 

[Fezzik]

Russell is right up there as well on pace. This could be a real 6-way scrap.

 

[GlamFM]

This might still be an easy win for the McLarens considering they were faster on mediums (the tire of choice for the sprint) and they supposedly have very low degradation compared to the rest.

Very happy for Lewis and Alex in particular.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

 

[MagpieRacer]

The Ferrari was very clearly the most stable car through some of the critical corners, turn 1/2, 7-8 and exit of 12, just looked visibly more planted and stable than the others, surprisingly so compared to the McLaren. Red Bull looks a bit tricky and the Mercedes in T1-2 looked quite a challenge at times.

 

[Aphelion]

I STILL feel bad for Sergio Perez, that second Red Bull seat is one of the worst seats on the grid. Lawson would have been better off staying in the junior team.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Caught myself up on FP1 and Sprint Qualifying.

Pleasantly surprised to see Hamilton get pole.

Shocked to see Lawson having so much difficulty.

Hope the race is eventful.

 

[Fezzik]

Lights out (because it’s 3am here and I don’t want to wake everyone up) and away we go!

Norris with a bad first lap. Down to 9th.

 

[Fezzik]

A few moves among the backmarkers but everything upfront is completely static. A snoozefest and no walk in the park for the McLarens.

 

[Fezzik]

Good job Piastri. Took 15 laps but he finally got Verstappen.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Lando languishing in P9, but Piastri now P2. Goooooooooo!

 

[IforceV8]

Ferrari's are a second per lap faster on worn tires than everyone else.

 

[Fezzik]

Norris finally gets past Stroll and into the points