Formula One returns to China for the first time since 2019 as the 10 teams head to the Shanghai International Circuit for the fifth race - and the first Sprint weekend - of the longest season in F1 history.
Max Verstappen returned to the familiarity of the top step of the podium in Japan two weeks ago after suffering his first retirement since early 2022 in Australia, while Ferrari continued to impress by taking third and fourth and consolidating second place in the World Constructors’ Championship.
Lewis Hamilton won around Shanghai for a record-extending sixth time the last time the Chinese Grand Prix was held in 2019, but the Silver Arrows have been well off the pace so far this season.
It is much more likely we will see a repeat of the 2009 Chinese Grand Prix, where Red Bull clinched their first ever pole position and race win.
- Carlos Sainz to finish on the podium
- Nico Hulkenberg to finish in the points
- Charles Leclerc fastest lap
Sainz To Showcases Talent
It has been something of a bittersweet 2024 for Carlos Sainz. He has lost his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton as of next year and then missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitis.
However, one thing has been made clear: Sainz is a top driver worthy of any seat next year.
Despite his surgery, Sainz returned to action in blistering fashion as he won the Australian Grand Prix and the Spaniard has been on the podium in all three of the races he has competed in, beating team-mate Charles Leclerc in each of them.
That makes him the perfect pick to finish in the top three in Shanghai.
The Hulk Targets Top-Ten
One of the surprise stories to develop in the early stages of 2024 is the emergence of Haas into genuine points contention after years at the back of the grid.
The American team have finished bottom of the pecking order in two the past three seasons and failed to score a single point in 2021, but they have shown some solid pace in the opening rounds of this campaign and can be pushing for the top ten again on Sunday.
Nico Hulkenberg is, justifiably, more highly-rated than team-mate Kevin Magnussen and has finished 10th, 9th and 11th in his last three races, beating Magnussen in each of those and claiming points twice.
With the likes of Oscar Piastri, Yuki Tsunoda, Logan Sargeant and home-hero Zhou Guanyu having never raced in China, the Hulk’s chances of another point or two are looking good.
Leclerc Can Steal Extra Point
He may have been beaten to the chequered flag by Ferrari team-mate Sainz on three occasions this season, but nobody can deny Leclerc’s talent and his ability over a single lap is unparalleled.
In fact, he has taken the extra point for the fastest lap in two of the four Grands Prix this season, matching overwhelming favourite Verstappen and looking supremely good value to upset the odds.
