Today’s F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop
Leclerc and Sainz clashed in the F1 Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, with Leclerc criticizing Sainz's defensive moves. Leclerc claimed they resolved the issue privately, but Sainz contradicted, saying they hadn't spoken. Sainz downplayed the incident, citing racing circumstances and car damage.
Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)
Aston Martin has protested the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying results, citing Carlos Sainz's breach of Article 39.6 after his red flag incident. Despite stopping on track, Sainz managed to restart his Ferrari and secure seventh place in qualifying. The protest seeks to invalidate Sainz's lap times, potentially promoting Lance Stroll to 10th on the grid.
Click here to read the full article by Haydn Cobb & Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com)
Max Verstappen's pole position at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix equals Mika Hakkinen's 25-year-old qualifying record, marking his sixth consecutive pole this season and Red Bull Racing's 100th Formula 1 pole. Verstappen leads the drivers' championship by 15 points over teammate Sergio Perez and is two poles away from matching Ayrton Senna's record of eight poles in a row.
Click here to read the full article by Mat Coch (speedcafe.com)
Lewis Hamilton secured second place in the Shanghai Sprint race but faced disappointment in Chinese GP qualifying due to Mercedes' unsuccessful setup changes. Despite efforts to adjust, Hamilton's progress was hindered by a lock-up in turn 14, resulting in an 18th-place start on the grid.
Click here to read the full article by Andrew Lewin (f1i.com)
The grid order for the Chinese Grand Prix appears unusual, with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso unexpectedly in third ahead of the Ferraris, while Mercedes faces a disastrous start with George Russell in eighth and Lewis Hamilton in 18th. This grid discrepancy is due to a distinct driver of performance emerging over the weekend, which reveals Shanghai as a rear-limited track this year. The lack of typical track evolution has altered car setups, impacting tire management strategies and resulting in unexpected grid positions. Despite the unconventional grid, teams expect the race to confirm the usual performance hierarchy, with challenges anticipated due to tire degradation and strategic considerations.
Click here to read the full article by Mark Hughes (the-race.com)