F1 Chinese GP 2024: Everything you need to know

Published at :April 18, 2024 at 1:26 PM

Modified at :April 18, 2024 at 1:26 PM

(Courtesy : Formula 1)

China is back after a four year absence from the F1 calendar. The break has sparked many questions and doubts about this year’s Chinese GP.

2024 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Chinese Grand Prix with the fifth round being hosted from 19-21 April 2024.

Just like Europe and Japan, China’s fanbase also seems to have a dedicated fanbase to the motorsport. Unfortunately, the pandemic period forced the Chinese F1 fandom to witness the races within the four walls of their room.

But not this time! The Chinese fans from across the nation and the neighbouring countries will be coming to Shanghai to experience and support their favourite drivers live.

What’s the Shanghai International Circuit like?

The circuit’s aesthetically beautiful shape from above—it is meant to resemble the Chinese character for “shang,” which means upwards—is also pleasing to drivers on land.

The lap begins in an unusual way as the cars rocket into the always-tight Turns 1 and 2, then veer left into Turns 3 and 4. Drivers adore the super-high g force Turns 7 and 8, and the circuit boasts one of the longest straights on the schedule, a 1.2km length that divides Turns 13 and 14.

Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu returns to the home ground

Zhou Guanyu is about to make history by becoming the first Chinese driver to race on home soil. This week, the Sauber driver expressed his excitement at both the chance and the “responsibility.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to finally race on home soil in Shanghai. To be the first Chinese driver ever to compete in Formula 1 in China means a lot to me — it fills me with immense joy, pride and responsibility. It isn’t just a race for me: after four years off the calendar, the championship finally returns, and with a Chinese driver on the grid, we will write history,” said Zhou.

But to have a good race at the home ground, the driver would require the best of his team’s support, especially considering Stake F1’s difficult start to the season. Their pit stops have a major issue, but we saw improvements at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Impact of China’s five-year absence from F1

China’s return to the calendar after a five-year break poses various challenges to the drivers. The drivers haven’t stepped on the track for a long time compelling them to make last moment adjustments during the practice race.

But what’s more challenging is the sprint race on the Shanghai circuit. The introduction of the sprint format at the Chinese GP has sparked debates between the drivers and teams. Since it’s a sprint weekend, the drivers will only have 1 hour of practice before the actual action begins.

Max Verstappen expressed his concern by questioning the wisdom of the decision and said, “I think it’s not great, let’s say it like that, to do that.”

“Because when you have been away from a track for quite a while, I think you never know what you’re going to experience, right? So it would have been better to have a normal race weekend there.”

He also added: “Purely from a driving perspective, performance perspective of the sport, I think it’s not the smartest thing to do. But yeah, we’ll see what we get there.”

Principal of the Ferrari team Frederic Vasseur voiced his concerns, calling the tarmac his “biggest question mark” for the weekend.

The absence of the venue from the calendar also questions the uncertainty of the recent track data.

Chinese GP 2024: Updated Schedule and timings

Event	Date	Time
Free Practice 1	19 April 2024	9:00 am- 10:00 am IST
Sprint Qualifying	19 April 2024	1:00 pm- 2:00 pm IST
Sprint race	20 April 2024	8:30 am- 9:30 am IST
Qualifying	20 April 2024	12:30 pm- 1:30 pm IST
Race	21 April 2024	12:30 pm- 2:30 pm IST

Weather Forecast for the Chinese GP

The three days of competition at the Chinese Grand Prix weekend are expected to see a mix of sunny and breezy weather.

On Friday, there is a 40% chance of rain during the day, including the morning showers, with temp. around 24°C and 11mph winds.

Saturday might see a slight chance of rain (21%), with some sunshine expected and similar temperature and wind conditions.

Overnight rain is forecast, potentially affecting track conditions for Sunday’s race. But Sunday is expected to be slightly warmer, with a 24% chance of rain during the day.

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