Third test of the 2019 Formula 1 calendar, the china grand prix , played on the Shanghai circuit, this year has more reasons for interest than the usual competitions on the track. Is that this will be the Grand Prix number 1000 (yes, we know that there is some controversy about this number but let's follow the values announced by the FIA).
In all, and since Formula 1 GP’s have been disputed, 65,607 laps have been completed, with 32 countries having hosted “the Formula 1 circus” with 68 circuits where GP’s of the top motorsport modality have already been disputed. As for the first Formula 1 race, it dates back to 1950 and was held at Silverstone.
As for victories, despite the fact that 999 Formula 1 races have been disputed to date, only 107 drivers climbed to the highest place on the podium, and in total only 33 managed to become champions. As for the number of “lucky ones” who were able to start at least one of the 999 Formula 1 races held to date, that is 777 drivers.
From race one in 1950 to race 1000 this weekend ⏳
69 years of evolution and innovation ? #Race1000 #ChineseGP ?? pic.twitter.com/tTXXzQhGyd
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 10, 2019
the Shanghai circuit
Extending for 5,451 km, the Grand Prix of China has been held there for 16 years. The fastest lap still belongs to Michael Schumacher, who in 2004 set a time of 1min32.238s in a Ferrari. As for the number of victories, the leader (highlighted) is Lewis Hamilton, who has already won there five times.Subscribe to our newsletter
In terms of teams, the most successful on the Chinese circuit is Mercedes, with a total of five victories. Still talking about teams, and at a completely opposite extreme to that of Mercedes, comes Minardi, which played its last Formula 1 race on that circuit in 2005, after 20 years on the grid.
Our 1000th race weekend is almost here ? ?
Shanghai is the stage for a special celebration ??
And here’s everything you need to get clued up ? #Race1000 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/zz1YtwBOzz
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 11, 2019
What to expect?
Despite the great attraction of the Chinese Grand Prix commemorating the 1000th Formula 1 race, the real points of interest will be on the track.
At a sporting level, the spotlight is focused on the Mercedes/Ferrari duel, with the German brand already counting on two victories this year (split between its two drivers) while Ferrari presents the best result of Charles Leclerc's third place in Bahrain even after seeing his engine practically destroy itself.
To prevent something like this from happening again in China, Ferrari decided to revert to an older specification set of the SF90's engine control units.
“This type of problem had never been seen before on the component in question” – @ScuderiaFerrari boss Mattia Binotto
Have the team found the answer to their Bahrain problems? #Race1000 #ChineseGP ?? https://t.co/ejx0KassSL
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 12, 2019
Also looking for lost reliability is Renault, which saw both cars give up in Bahrain and so replaced the MGU-Ks in all cars with their engines (including McLaren) and even the engine of Nico Hülkenberg's car.
It will also be interesting to see how Lando Norris will evolve after taking McLaren to sixth place in Bahrain and to what extent Pierre Gasly will be able to start showing more positive results.
Free practice began at dawn this Friday, with qualifying scheduled for 7:00 am on Saturday (mainland Portugal time). The start of the 1000th Grand Prix is scheduled for 7:10 am (mainland Portugal time) on Sunday.
? END OF FP2 ?
That’s the checkered flag on Friday’s sessions – with Bottas, Vettel and Verstappen at the top of times #ChineseGP ?? #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/k5tKBsRbc3
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 12, 2019