Today’s F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop
Mercedes, Williams, and Red Bull have made aerodynamic tweaks around the cockpit area for the Chinese Grand Prix, aiming to enhance airflow efficiency. Red Bull reshaped the headrest, Mercedes added small flicks behind the Halo to generate vortices, and Williams adjusted the halo geometry to control airflow losses. These changes, though minor, are crucial for optimizing airflow distribution, which reflects a focus on incremental improvements and cost-effective solutions.
Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com)
Pirelli wasn't told about changes to the Shanghai track's surface for the Chinese Grand Prix. A new bitumen layer caused grip inconsistencies, raising concerns about rain affecting grip, similar to the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix. Despite discovering grip issues, Pirelli expects the bitumen to wear off, which will affect the racing line more than other parts. Still, the lack of prior information from organizers leaves uncertainties about track evolution.
Click here to read the full article by Nick Golding (racingnews365.com)
Lando Norris secured pole position for the F1 Chinese Grand Prix sprint race by posting a time faster than Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes, despite initially having his fastest lap deleted for going off-track. However, McLaren successfully argued to the FIA that Norris gained no advantage from running wide at the final corner, as he lost time in the process. The FIA independently made the decision to reinstate Norris's time based on McLaren's argument and the significant time loss incurred from going off-track.
Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)
Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes F1 car excelled in wet conditions during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, allowing him to secure second on the grid despite a challenging start to the session. Hamilton expressed excitement at the rain, noting that it gave him a better opportunity to perform, as the Mercedes struggled in dry conditions. “It was very tricky, tricky conditions, not a lot of grip as you saw for everyone,” Hamilton said. “But yeah, so happy. As soon as I saw the rain coming, I was getting excited."
Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)
The Chinese Grand Prix is back, and F1 drivers share their thoughts ahead of the sprint weekend. Alonso talks about the possibility of his last contract in F1, Zhou discusses racing on home turf, and drivers anticipate the first sprint race of the season. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll is excited for the race, having enjoyed similar events in the past. Click here to watch the video.