Sprint weekends are always intense for everyone involved, creating a sense of urgency from Friday to Sunday. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai was no exception. The tight competition and the early stage of the season for new driver and team combinations amplified this intensity.
McLaren emerged as the leading team by a narrow margin. The new track surface, offering exceptional grip and smoothness, allowed for significantly faster lap times compared to the previous year. However, achieving the perfect lap proved challenging for all drivers.
High minimum tire pressures were necessary due to the significant aerodynamic demands of the first corner complex, which includes Turns 2 and 3, as well as Turns 12 and 13 leading onto the long back straight.
During qualifying, drivers had to manage tire temperatures and pressures by spending extra time in the pit lane and on the out-lap. This was crucial, especially after minimum tire pressures were increased overnight on Friday. This somewhat unpredictable process led to considerable variations in performance.
This variability resulted in an unexpected front row for the 19-lap Sprint race, featuring Lewis Hamilton`s Ferrari and Max Verstappen`s Red Bull, while Oscar Piastri in his McLaren and George Russell in the Mercedes led the grid for the 56-lap main race. In Shanghai, unpredictability was a key factor.
Hamilton`s Vintage Sprint Race
Lewis Hamilton delivered a classic performance in the Sprint, controlling the race from pole position. He expertly managed tire degradation, securing his first victory for Ferrari early in the weekend. This win was a perfect response to the `disastrous` previous weekend in Melbourne and marked the first Sprint victory for both Hamilton and Ferrari.
Piastri drove impressively to second place, overtaking a cooperative Verstappen. Tire degradation was a major issue for everyone, with high lateral grip causing the tire surface to tear and slide, worsening the problem.
Lando Norris, the championship leader, made a rare error, running wide on the first lap and recovering only to eighth place and a single point. The McLaren car is undeniably fast but can be challenging to handle at the limit.
Teams are now permitted to make adjustments to their cars before Saturday afternoon qualifying to optimize speed and tire management, and many teams appeared to have made effective improvements.
The performance of the hard compound tire was a significant unknown for the race. In Sprint weekends, teams receive fewer sets of dry tires, with only two sets of hards. Teams are hesitant to test these hard tires beforehand, to avoid giving competitors valuable information without gaining an advantage themselves. This was especially relevant given the severe degradation observed with the medium tires during the Sprint.
Race Strategy Adjustments
Qualifying for the main race initially suggested a McLaren battle between Piastri and Norris, with Piastri seeming to have the edge. While Piastri did secure pole, a different out-lap strategy and a strong lap from Russell placed his Mercedes between the McLarens on the front row.
Shanghai enjoyed unusually pleasant weather throughout the event, and Sunday was similarly favorable, though slightly cloudier for the race. At the start, Piastri squeezed the slightly quicker-starting Russell towards the pit wall, compromising Russell`s entry into Turn One. This allowed Norris to move around the outside and take second place, demonstrating excellent teamwork.
Verstappen`s Red Bull momentarily lost control, allowing Hamilton and Leclerc`s Ferraris to capitalize. Leclerc took a very aggressive line, clipped the inside kerb, and collided with his teammate, damaging his front wing. The damaged wing dragged along the track but fortunately did not puncture Hamilton`s tire.
Despite the damage, Leclerc recovered and, surprisingly, became the faster Ferrari, eventually being allowed to pass Hamilton. It was a determined drive from Leclerc, likely motivated by Hamilton`s Sprint victory. However, these efforts would ultimately be in vain.
The expected race strategy was a two-stop approach using medium and hard tires for optimal performance. Three drivers in the lower field opted for a different strategy, starting on hard tires. Initially, the hard tires seemed effective, but the strategy`s effectiveness was unclear as Liam Lawson pitted his Red Bull from hards on Lap 18, Ollie Bearman in the Haas on Lap 26, and Lance Stroll in his Aston Martin extended his stint to Lap 36 out of 56.
The leading teams, managing their pace on medium tires, began their first pit stops around Lap 14. McLaren, running first and second, had Norris pit on Lap 15, which placed him behind Russell again. Norris then executed another overtake by Lap 18, reclaiming second place and restoring the McLaren one-two.
The medium tires performed well, leading teams to consider a one-stop strategy, contrary to expectations. A pit stop typically costs around 23 seconds, assuming no issues.
McLaren`s Momentum
Around this time, Verstappen began to show his pace, finding grip. Possibly due to lower fuel levels, track conditions, or a change in tire management approach, he closed in on the Ferraris. Verstappen even set his fastest lap in the final lap, which was somewhat unexpected.
Hamilton pitted, with little to lose except track position to Verstappen, but gaining fresher tires. Hamilton pushed hard to the end, a factor that may have contributed to his later disqualification.
The crucial question was whether the hard tires could last over 42 laps, and the answer was definitively yes. Piastri, in his understated manner, described their performance as `better than expected`.
Drivers who opted for a two-stop strategy, like Hamilton and the Racing Bulls drivers, did not benefit.
Another question was whether Norris could challenge Piastri for the lead. However, a brake pedal issue that emerged in the final lap prevented this, and Norris focused on holding off Russell, who was having another strong race for Mercedes.
This result marked McLaren`s 50th one-two finish, highlighting their current strong form.
There was intense racing and battles throughout the field, particularly involving Liam Lawson and Jack Doohan, who are facing pressure early in the season. Team changes remain a possibility.
Fernando Alonso retired for the second consecutive race, this time due to a rear brake problem.
Ferrari`s Disappointment After Miscalculation
The biggest shock came after the race with the disqualification of both Ferraris and Pierre Gasly`s Alpine. Leclerc and Gasly were disqualified for being underweight. Similar to George Russell`s case in Spa last year, extended runs on tires can reduce the car`s weight due to tire wear. High race pace and the absence of safety cars also contributed to increased fuel consumption and weight reduction. Although Leclerc`s damaged front wing was replaced, his car was still underweight. This was a clear miscalculation by the team, failing to account for all possible factors.
Hamilton`s car was also disqualified for excessive skid block wear, indicating the car ran too low and violated regulations intended to prevent teams from excessively lowering ground-effect cars for performance gains at the cost of floor durability.
This weekend will be a painful read for Ferrari, especially in the Italian media, despite their Sprint race victory.
Kimi Antonelli, despite first-lap floor damage, had a quiet but solid race, ultimately finishing sixth after the disqualifications. He was surprisingly voted driver of the day by the fans.
Other drivers who gained positions after the race included Verstappen, Esteban Ocon, Bearman, Albon, Sainz, and Stroll, all inheriting additional points.
Norris leaves China with a slightly increased championship lead over Verstappen, but Piastri is now only 10 points behind, setting the stage for an intense McLaren team rivalry as they head to Suzuka for the next race.
Wesley Dunham 
Gilbert Pendleton