Chinese Grand Prix 2024 Preview
| April 16, 2024 | Sports,
The next race on the calendar for Formula One is in Shanghai,a return to a racetrack that hasn’t seen action in five years.
The F1 world is very different from the world that raced here last time. With the driver market starting to heat up and team situations solidifying, Shanghai could be a difference maker for those with experience at this track. The lack of experience from younger drivers could come into play.
Red Bull v. Ferrari
In the Red Bull domination era of current technical regulations, Japan stands out as a strong venue for them. This past weekend, they were once again the king of the hill with a one-two finish. However, the rest of the pack is catching up. The year prior to qualifying, Max Verstappen had the same gap between second place Oscar Piastri that the top seven cars this year.
Shanghai International Circuit is a key testing ground for Red Bull given the technical advantages the track gives Ferrari. It’s a circuit that limits the front, something that helps to define which performance is better. Ferrari’s strengths come from its front axle ability. Red Bull can prove their car’s performance on a track that suits Ferrari.
Shanghai homecoming
For the first time in five years, Formula One is heading to China for the grand prix, and much has happened since then. The last time F1 came to Shanghai, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas led Mercedes to a one-two finish with Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari in third. Renault, Sauber, Torro Rosso and Racing Point have all changed since that point. Renault became Alpine, Sauber became Kick Sauber (and Audi in two years), Torro Rosso became Alpha Tauri (before they changed again to RB, and Racing Point became Aston Martin.
It’s not just the length since the last race that keeps this weekend exciting. For the first time in the history of Formula One, a Chinese driver will drive in a home grand prix. Zhou Guanyu has been waiting for this moment since 2022, when he will have a chance to drive in front of a sellout crowd in his home country.
With the sprint race added for this weekend, China is projected to be one of the more exciting races on the calendar this year.
Mercedes issues
The Silver Arrows had a weird race weekend in Japan, with Lewis Hamilton going through all sorts of feelings as the weekend happened. To start, Hamilton had fun pushing the car through its pace in Suzuka. The car was operating at peak performance up to that point.
The race, on the other hand, did not go well for Hamilton, with him securing only a ninth place finish due to damage concerns and the tire strategy. George Russell had a slightly better race, finishing seventh. It isn’t just the fans noticing their issues.
Team Principal Toto Wolff understands the problems and seems to be embracing their new situation.
“We’ve been on the back foot, and now, we’ve taken a different direction,” Wolff said.
However, he also understands that there is something to fight for in Shanghai.
“We just need to have a better start to the weekend. Some of the proof of concept that we’ve done here, we will be on the car. And then [we will] see what we can do in Shanghai,” Wolff said.
Mercedes needs a good performance here to keep up before these previous setbacks start to take their toll.
The driver’s market
With a flurry of moves made in the offseason, teams have certain determined spots open currently for the 2025 season.
Red Bull
Max Verstappen is on contract for them till 2028. There has been some speculation as to his status there. However, there is no reason to believe he will leave them anytime soon. There is one spot open currently after Sergio Perez’s contract expires this season.
Ferrari
One of three different teams with a full lineup for 2025 already, the prancing ponies made a huge splash in the offseason with a contract signing with Lewis Hamilton after his time at Mercedes finishes this season. Charles Leclerc is under contract with them till 2026, completing their lineup.
Mercedes
After losing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes will be looking to replace the large hole Hamilton will leave behind. While Carlos Sainz might be an option, junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli could be an interesting option. Sebastian Vettel has also been thrown around as an option.
McLaren
With two drivers on long-term contracts, there more than likely isn’t going to be any changes to the McLaren team for 2025.
Aston Martin
After re-signing Fernando Alonso over the last regular weekend, and with Lance Stroll continuing his rolling over contract with his father owning the team, Aston Martin is the final team that will probably not change going into 2025.
Williams
With his contract at Williams running through the end of 2025, he’s staying with them until the end of the next season. Logan Sargeant, on the other hand, will be out of contract at the end of the season, and the team will have to decide on what to do.
Alpine
Both Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon are out of contract at the end of the season, and with the failure over the past few seasons by Alpine to make a run at points, there may be massive change on the horizon for the only French based team on the grid.
RB
Both drivers for RB are out as well. Yuki Tsunoda has shown he can do well in an F1 car early on this season. The more critical question is with Daniel Riccardo. He came into 2024 hoping to earn the 2025 Red Bull drive, but his driving has been patchy at best. That leaves the Red Bull junior Liam Lawson in the waiting line.
Kick Sauber
Both drivers are out of contract at the end of the season for Sauber. With the German car manufacturer Audi coming in 2026, they might look to bring in Nico Hulkenberg, given he is a German driver on the market this year. Carlos Sainz could represent the future of Audi, especially given that his father won the Dakar Rally for Audi.
Haas
Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen are both out of contract after 2024 as well. As such, the American team might look to change their position. Ferrari’s reserve driver Oliver Bearman impressed in Saudi Arabia when he filled in for Carlos Sainz, and that may have convinced Haas that he’s their guy.
2025 calendar released
The official Formula One 2025 calendar has been released. It will mark the 75th anniversary of Formula One, with many key differences to the structure this next season.
Australia hasn’t held the opening race spot since 2019, but it finally returns to the start of the season in 2025. It’s become an extremely popular event on the calendar, with a record 132,106 race attendance. That’s 1,000 more than the race in 2023.
The opening round of 2025 will also be held two weeks later than usual, on the weekend of March 14. This is meant to give teams some extra time to hone the machines ahead of testing.
With Ramadan falling in March next year, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been moved down the calendar to April, racing in round four and round five respectively. Thanks to the move, Las Vegas has become the only Saturday night race for the season.
Thanks to the success of the different timing in Japan, Suzuka will once again play host to the Formula One grid in the middle of Sakura, also known as cherry blossom season. It lit up the circuit this season, and fans appreciated the new style.
Full 2025 Schedule
| Round 1 | Australia: March 14 – 16 (Melbourne) | Round 13 | Belgium: July 25 – 27(Spa-Francorchamps) |
| Round 2 | China: March 21 – 23 (Shanghai) | Round 14 | Hungary: Aug. 1 – 3 (Budapest) |
| Round 3 | Japan: April 4 – 6 (Suzuka) | Round 15 | Netherlands: Aug. 29 – 31 (Zandvoort) |
| Round 4 | Bahrain: April 11 – 13 (Sakhir) | Round 16 | Italy: Sept. 5 – 7 (Monza) |
| Round 5 | Saudi Arabia: April 18 – 20 (Jeddah) | Round 17 | Azerbaijan: Sept. 19 – 21 (Baku) |
| Round 6 | United States: May 2 – 4 (Miami) | Round 18 | Singapore: Oct. 3 – 5 (Singapore) |
| Round 7 | Italy: May 16 – 18 (Imola) | Round 19 | United States: Oct. 17 – 19(Austin) |
| Round 8 | Monaco: May 23 – 25 (Monaco) | Round 20 | Mexico: Oct. 24 – 26(Mexico City) |
| Round 9 | Spain: May 30 – June 1(Barcelona) | Round 21 | Brazil: Nov. 7 – 9Sao Paulo |
| Round 10 | Canada: June 13 – 15 (Montreal) | Round 22 | United States: Nov. 20 – 22 (Las Vegas) |
| Round 11 | Austria: June 27 – 29 (Spielberg) | Round 23 | Qatar: Nov. 28 – 30(Lusail) |
| Round 12 | United Kingdom: July 4-6 (Silverstone) | Round 24 | Abu Dhabi: Dec. 5 – 7(Yas Marina) |