F1 2024: Chinese GP - Shanghai (Apr 21)

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Am I the only person here that doesn't like the Sprint format?

I also don't like the sprint format. It takes something away from the 'specialty' of the sunday race.
And part of the results sometimes come down more on luck than on skill if the drivers have very little time to set up their cars.
I think it's something that is created to better fill the friday. More a commercial induced decision than a sportive induced decision.
Also with now so many points in the sprint format, you get the risk that lesser teams will take more risk to score in the sprint race than in the main race.

Also with now so many races per year, do we really need even more excitement?
Friday is a work day anyways.
When the sprint format was introduced I think I liked it because it was new, but nowadays with the format changing every year, it looks more and more as a not well planned out afterthought.
They're clearly struggeling with how to implement the sprint format.

[GuidoK]

Formation lap

[GuidoK]

Lando goes wide in the 1st corner....

[GuidoK]

Max has some trouble with engine settings?

[GuidoK]

Hammy went wide and Max is now immediately on his tail

[GuidoK]

And Max overtakes Lewis

And is currently about 1,5sec/lap faster than everyone else.

Both HAM and ALO didn't really put up a fight with Max overtaking, probably because it's useless and in that they would loose precious time, with cars behind them then closing in.

'Choosing eggs for your money' in some languages

[GuidoK]

It's interesting to see that most cars/drivers are very well matched in this race. Even Hammy at 2nd has the same pace as the ALO DRS train behind him.

Of course Max is in his own league once he got his engine modes sorted....

[GuidoK]

Wow what a battle for 3rd!
Sadly ALO got a puncture in all the chaos.

Rosberg's comments are pretty funny.
I always have a feeling he's continuously trolling

[Davil]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Am I the only person here that doesn't like the Sprint format? I gave it a chance, but it's no go for me. I'll skip the Friday and Saturday nonsense and watch the actual race on Sunday. I wouldn't mind a wet race to shake things up.

What a shame. You just missed the most exciting race of the year so far.

[Artemis]

Sainz - Leclerc: close call.

[GuidoK]

And Max wins! on average ~1,3sec/lap faster than everyone once he passed HAM (so from lap 10 onwards)

Good performance from Hammy, keeping well out in front of ALO and that epic battle for 3rd.
Sadly a dnf for ALO.

[Artemis]

Happy for Hamilton's P2 - also Toto Wolff smiled. Even Sprint victory seemed in the cards for Hamilton in the early laps, but once Verstappen sorted out a "flat battery" issue there was no stopping. Over 13 seconds lead at the chequered flag. Hamilton did a proper job in standing his ground at P2. Hectic stuff between Alonso, Sainz, Perez and Leclerc with Perez outsmarting that pack. Alonso deserved P3 instead of DNF. Stewards will look into Alonso - Sainz contact.

[Davil]

Hamilton showed some of his true greatness at the start.

What an entertaining race overall. This Sainz Leclerc thing is becoming brutal.

Such a shame for Fernando.

Magnussen aka the human cork sort of ruined it for the back half of the field. But that’s par for the course.

Bring on qualifying!

[GuidoK]

Hammy out in Q1!
OUCH!!
Braking error ruined his lap.

[GuidoK]

SAI spins in Q2 with no time on the clock.
Drivers error.
Red flag...
He got his car started again.
Front wing damage.

[GuidoK]

LOL SAI sets the 3rd time in Q2 after causing a red flag and wrecking his car

[GuidoK]

What a funny end of Q3.
Fantastic battle for P2. Max is of course miles ahead taking pole.
His 100th pole

Tomorrow a RB front row lockout

[M5Rick]

It's the normal RBR 1-2 with the Lion keeping everyone back at paws length after Q3 and Fernie third with Chas showing Carlo who's boss here getting his dukes on him

[Sneaky Pete]

Originally Posted by Davil

Hamilton showed some of his true greatness at the start.

True skill always shows though on a low grip track, no more so than when wet.
Hamilton getting that crapbox Mercedes onto the front row for the sprint qualifying was proper impressive...then keeping 2nd place in the race shows he still has the ability to make the difference even when in the 4th fastest car (at best).

[Davil]

Originally Posted by Sneaky Pete

True skill always shows though on a low grip track, no more so when wet.
Hamilton getting that crapbox Mercedes onto the front row for the sprint qualifying was proper impressive...then keeping 2nd place in the race shows he still has the ability to make the difference even when in the 4th fastest car (at best).

5th. But I agree.

[Davil]

I was convinced Fernando had P2 locked. Checko is doing very well in his role.

I think Aston has had quite an upgrade for speed. But I think it might be killing the tyres at race pace.

At least Lance is ahead of the cork.

Fernando podium will come down to strategy and luck.

My prediction is Fernando P5. Lance P9.

For the other teams. Max wins. Quelle surprise.

Checko 2. Carlos 3. Charles 4.

[Davil]

I like this format. Much better than last year’s sprint format.

It throws stuff out there. Very entertaining.