He's been missing for five years, 5 years, yet he hadn't been missed too much. It may have been the place of origin that started the COVID-19 pandemic, or perhaps the many races on the calendar that still made it as crowded as the A14 in August. Despite everything, here we are: the Chinese Grand Prix is about to arrive and will conclude – at least for the moment – the Asian trip of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.
The fifth round of the 2024 World Championship will re-propose a now consolidated script, with the hare Red Bull and the other pursuers struggling to catch up and, why not, be insidious enough to at least put pressure on a team that has been the masters for years now.
Shanghai, a demanding track with the front axle, could be just the thing for those hoping to play a trick on the elusive Red Bull. Melbourne teaches: Ferrari achieved a great one-two a few weeks ago on a track with similar characteristics. Of course, Verstappen had retired due to a brake problem, but the Reds really had everything to be able to fight for victory.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
But that's not all, because the first atypical weekend format, the Sprint, comes in favor of Ferrari, which will also be the first opportunity to evaluate the new daily division of shifts. In fact, we remind you that the only free practice session and the Sprint Qualifying will be held on Friday. Saturday will open with the Sprint Race and then qualifying for the race will take place. Sunday, the grand prix day, will host the only race, the main event of the weekend.
Red Bull wants to continue to be the hare and Ferrari to be a more credible hunter. But behind them there is a lot of uncertainty. McLaren and Mercedes are competing for third place in the Constructors' World Championship, but if the team directed by Andrea Stella had no title ambitions – although they were still of a high level – the situation raging in Brackley is very different.
Toto Wolff has to deal with a complex situation: Hamilton headed to Ferrari and a W15 which is proving to be the biggest disappointment of this start to the season. Born to return to victory, he is struggling to get close to the podium and, sometimes, even to the Top 5.
In all of this there will be an opportunity to delve deeper into the news of the week, namely the renewal of Fernando Alonso's contract – even a multi-year one – with Aston Martin Racing. An important contract for the native of Oviedo, but also for the other drivers who are looking for a prominent seat for the next seasons: this move takes away an attractive one to say the least and the choice becomes increasingly limited.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Chinese GP 2024: TV times (Italian time)
Sky schedule (Live)
Friday 19 April
Free Practice 1: 5.30am – 6.30am
Sprint Qualifying: 9.30am – 10.14am
Saturday 20 April
Sprint Race: 5:00 – 6:00
Qualifying: 9:00 – 10:00
Sunday 21 April
Race: 9:00 am
TV8 schedule (live and deferred)
Friday 19 April
Sprint Qualifying: 9.30 am
Saturday 20 April
Sprint Race: 5:00 – 6:00 (delayed to 10:30)
Qualifying: 12.00pm (Deferred)
Sunday 21 April
Race: 2.00pm (Delayed)
Motorsport.com schedule (LIVE LIVE)
Friday 19 April
Sprint Qualifying: 9:00 – 10:20
Saturday 20 April
Qualifying: 8.30am – 10.10am
Sunday 21 April
Race: 8.30 am
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Chinese GP 2024: the numbers from Shanghai
First Grand Prix held: 2004
Last Grand Prix held: 2019
Track length: 5,451 meters
Expected number of laps: 56
Overall race distance: 305,066 kilometers
DRS zones: 2 (Sector 3 and Sector 1)
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