A big Saturday for Formula 1 in Shanghai, as the day around the paddock begins with the first Sprint Race of the season and goes on until the afternoon when Qualifying for the Grand Prix will take place.
Yesterday’s Shootout certainly was a matter for elite wet-weather drivers, as it started off on dry asphalt only for it to start raining as Q2 was about to begin, making it difficult for drivers to keep the single-seaters on track.
Slide offs and spins meant a compromised qualifying for both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc – who will start respectively in P4 and P7 -, while Fernando Alonso managed to put his Aston up in third place.
No wonder the top spot under the rain was contended between a rather enthusiastic Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, who has proved to be able to manage his way around wet tracks quite well, as he showed just last season in Monaco.
Ultimately, at the end of a Shootout where the FIA’s decisions around track limits infringements raised some eyebrows, it will be Norris to start from pole position this Saturday.
Without further ado, let’s dive into these first nineteen laps around the Shanghai International Circuit.
As lights go out Hamilton immediately takes the lead out of Turn 1, Norris staying on the outside slightly loses the rear and ends up wide off track, before the end of the first lap he comes down to P7.
George Russell is the only one going for soft tyres, medium compound for everyone else, with Norris, Hamilton, Alonso and Sainz choosing fresh ones.
Around one second between Alonso and Hamilton, meanwhile Carlos Sainz seems to have the pace to try and take on Verstappen for P3.
Behind in P6 the other Ferrari is battling with Norris, Hulkenberg and Stroll have a moment but an investigation is not considered necessary, Bottas – who has losen part of his front wing on the opening lap – has an incident with his teammate after which both are noted for going off track and gaining an advantage.
The gap is tight between the top positions with Hamilton keeping 1.5s ahead of the Aston Martin behind him.
Despite reporting some battery issues on the radio, Verstappen soon makes the most of DRS to overtake Alonso and chase down Lewis Hamilton for P1.
We are almost halfway through the race with George Russell battling on the edge of P9 with Zhou and Verstappen swiftly taking the lead and running away out of DRS zone from Hamilton’s Mercedes.
Fernando Alonso seems rather fast, with the Ferraris approaching after they both take on Sergio Perez.
Only 3 laps to go when Carlos Sainz makes a move on Alonso, who answers strongly, making both go wide and make space for Perez. Ultimately it is Sainz coming up ahead, followed closely by his teammate.
LAP 16/19
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 20, 2024
Alonso's defences are finally breached
Sainz goes wheel-to-wheel with his countryman and gets past 😮#F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/BwyABXquMB
A puncture takes the Aston Martin to the pits and he ultimately decides to retire, as with one lap to go there isn’t much room for regaining positions.
Last action is between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who battle closely – so much they end up being noted by the FIA – with the Monegasque ultimately taking P4.
Impressive speed for Verstappen, who has been gaining a consistent gap over Hamilton and goes on to win this first Sprint.
