Max Verstappen of Red Bull continues to dominate the Formula 1 season, securing pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix after his victory in the first F1 sprint of the season. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, will join him on the front row for Sunday’s race, with Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Lando Norris of McLaren on the second row.
Verstappen’s performance has been nothing short of exceptional. Currently the three-time defending F1 champion, he is widely regarded as the sport’s best driver in the fastest car. In the last 26 Grand Prix races, Verstappen has emerged victorious in 22 of them, including three out of the first four races this season. A brake failure in Melbourne, Australia prevented him from a clean sweep of victories.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s race, Verstappen expressed confidence in his car, saying, “If the car is even only half as good as what it was in the sprint then I think we’ll be all right.” This season, Verstappen has claimed every pole position, and Sunday’s start will be his 37th overall, marking Red Bull’s 100th pole as a team. Verstappen is chasing his 58th career victory.
Alonso, who won season titles in 2005 and 2006, is proving that age is just a number. At 43 years old, he recently extended his contract with Aston Martin and remains one of F1’s quickest drivers. Alonso described his qualifying lap as “encouraging for the future” and believes he will finish around seventh to ninth place on race day.
Qualifying took place under dry conditions, and similar weather is expected for Sunday’s race. Verstappen currently leads the F1 season standings with 85 points, followed by his teammate Perez with 15 points behind and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari 21 points behind.
On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion from Mercedes, has not won a race in 49 attempts, with his last victory dating back to 2021. Hamilton will start in 18th position on the grid after finishing second in the sprint.
The Shanghai circuit, located northwest of central Shanghai, poses a challenge for teams due to its unique characteristics. This is the first F1 race in China in five years, as it was removed from the calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The track’s racing surface has undergone changes, including the application of a thin “seal coating” described as liquid asphalt. Pirelli, the tire supplier, admitted to not being fully aware of these changes. Verstappen compared driving on this surface in steady rain to “driving on ice.”
Adding to the intrigue, two small grass fires broke out at the edge of the track during Friday’s practice sessions. It is suspected that a methane gas leak from the marshy area on which the circuit was built may be the cause.
Zhou Guanyu, the only Chinese driver in F1, struggled in qualifying and will start 16th on the grid for Sauber. Despite this setback, his participation in F1 is a significant achievement for Chinese motorsports.
In conclusion, Max Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1 continues as he secures pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix. With his outstanding performance and the speed of his Red Bull car, he remains the driver to beat. Fernando Alonso also impresses at 43 years old, demonstrating his enduring skill and competitiveness. The race in Shanghai presents unique challenges due to changes in the racing surface and the circuit’s marshy area, adding an element of unpredictability to the event. As F1 fans eagerly anticipate Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he aims to further extend his lead in the championship standings.