Race Two : 2025 China Grandprix [Shanghai International]

Celebrating 25 years of Bernd Mayländer as the official FIA Safety Car driver
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHdzZ7-ty_3/

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Originally Posted by N. Jones

Is the second Red Bull sabotaged or are the second drivers just that bad?

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Haha, good question. He is just getting the standard Redbull treatment.

im at a point where i dont want to see yuki in the second red bull car because no one can race those cars, only max. that has been proven year after year, cmon. just leave him there waiting the next honda team to bring him on (is it aston martin in 27? i got confused with all the "brand X using brand Y engines" thing)

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Originally Posted by Nitrodaze

Once again, Yuki sticks a finger out at Redbull with a brilliant top-ten grid position as Lawson languishes out in SQ1. I am enjoying this developing embarrassment as Yuki's performance all year would constantly remind Redbull of their bad decision.

When you fail to be objective, this is what happens; egg in the face moments like this.

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Agree.

HAMILTON WINS SHANGHAI SPRINT RACE!!!

Goes to show what poor support he was getting at Mercedes last season. The Ferrari pace was quite ominous, McLaren have a worry on their minds now. Lets see how McLaren get on in the main race to determine how worried they would feel after this weekend.


You can't put a good man down!

PIASTRI!!!
Piastri takes pole at china. What a drive! The McLaren seems to be struggling with tyre wear at the track, hence it would take great strategy and race pace for Piastri to convert pole into race win. Russell has his best chance to win the race from second. Verstappen on the second row is equally dangerous, he can be ahead of the pack by the first corner if those ahead have a bad start.

Race pace of Ferrari is very good and they seem to manage their tyres better than the cars ahead. Hence, l expect to see one Ferrari; at least, on the podium by the end of the race. It is hard to guess who is going to be on the podium, but l would hazard a guess and say, Russell, Piastri, Hamilton in any order.

Winners and Losers in Qualifying

Winners
1. Piastri - The sprint race showed overtaking is difficult. He is in a position to turn a good start in the China GP into a great finish.

2. Russel - He is leading Mercedes and showing they are competitive in the championship race.

3. The Rookies (Hadjar/Antonelli) - Hadjar good turnaround from last week and Antonelli continues to impress.

4. Racing Bulls—Tsunoda should be breathing a sigh of relief he didn't get picked to go into the "death seat" in F1. Right now, his car seems to be the best in the midfield.

Losers

1. Red Bull—On one lap, Verstappen might have a chance for the fastest lap, but Red Bull can not sustain it due to their tire wear being greater than others around them. At this point it does not look like he is in the running for the world championship.

There was a comment that Verstappen wants more front end, which makes the back end unstable, and that most drivers don't like a squirrelly back end. That might explain why Lawson looks totally uncomfortable in the Red Bull. It's been a terrible start for Lawson.

Redbull is looking like they will finish 3rd or 4th in the championship.

2. Sainz - He is struggling. I really expected him to be just as fast as Albon and to be in the running for Q1.

3. Tsunoda - if Lawson continues to suck and he continues to over-perform, there is becoming a greater risk that he might be promoted to the "death seat."

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Originally Posted by F1nKS

Winners and Losers in Qualifying


4. Racing Bulls—Tsunoda should be breathing a sigh of relief he didn't get picked to go into the "death seat" in F1. Right now, his car seems to be the best in the midfield.


3. Tsunoda - if Lawson continues to suck and he continues to over-perform, there is becoming a greater risk that he might be promoted to the "death seat."

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If he has any sense, he would reject the offer to move up. Such a move is career suicide.

I don't think we have seen the end of surprises for this weekend. Through both qual sessions and the sprint, the advantages keep moving back and forth. Some drivers have taken huge chunks of time out of another lap, and race pace still favors clean air for everyone it seems.

A lot of people seemed to think McLaren were just going to walk away with things this year, but I don't think it's going to be quite that easy. With the new surface hard on tires, strategy and tire management could become a big factor for the race. Who takes control at the race start might play a big factor, and if the lead driver is pushed on pace it could leave the Ferraris and Max in a position to conserve more and inherit the race lead earlier in the race. I suspect at least one team will split strategy and go for the push myself.


Amazing season start for the Racing Bulls. Lawson tanking horribly, and TBH it just shows that the car alone can't do it. It does seem like the immediate "do or die" seat. Personally I think of all their choices Albon would have worked out best in the long run.

And it looks like the rookies will keep us entertained, even if the front of the pack sorts out quickly. There is no doubt that a lot of talent is evident in the young new drivers.

Bizzare things going on at Ferrari at the mo. It's weird why Racing Bull decides to pit Tsunoda from a points position.

The comedy continues. Racing bull are so dodgy at the mo. Somehow they have put Yuki behind Lawson. Make what you want from that.