After 5 years away from the F1 calendar, the Chinese GP is back this weekend. For an average person, 5 years may not seem too long. However, for an F1 fan, 5 years is an eternity. There have been so many changes on the grid since the last Chinese Grand Prix. Let’s take a look at some of these changes.
The transition of dominance from the last Chinese GP
During the last Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were the dominating forces. However, since 2021, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have taken over. They are the favourites to win the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend.
The 2019 season also marked Charles Leclerc’s first season with Ferrari and was yet to win a race the last time he was in China. Now he is entering the weekend during his 6th season with Ferrari, having won 5 races so far.
The start and end of careers
Ever since the last Chinese Grand Prix, we have seen a couple of drivers start and end their F1 careers. Both Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin made their F1 debut in 2021. Mazepin’s stint came to an end after just 1 year, while Mick Schumacher’s stint ended after 2 years. Today, neither of these drivers is on the F1 grid.
Change in formats
Since the 2019 season, F1 has introduced the Sprint Weekend. This format was introduced to increase viewership on Saturdays for the sport. Ever since its inauguration, we have seen the FIA change its format a couple of times. This season, the Sprint Weekend will consist of a Sprint Qualifying which will take place after Fp1, and a Sprint Race which will be held before the main qualifying session. This weekend, the Chinese Grand Prix will host the first Sprint Weekend of the season.
Fresh faces and colours since the last Chinese GP
Since the last Chinese Grand Prix, there have been a few young drivers coming into the sport and staying on. Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu, Logan Sargeant, and Oscar Piastri, will face their first Chinese Grand Prix.
A piece of Formula 1 history last time we visited China 🇨🇳
Relive the best of race 1000, from Shanghai 😍 pic.twitter.com/fKyzfosa5q
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 16, 2024
We will also be seeing the Aston Martin take on the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time. We will also see some drivers wearing different colours since the last Chinese Grand Prix. A few notable driver changes are Carlos Sainz to Ferrari, Fernando Alonso (who was in retirement in 2019) to Aston Martin, Sergio Perez to Red Bull, and Geroge Russell to Mercedes.
With the weekend being a Sprint Weekend, we should see some exciting racing. The defending champion, Max Verstappen has never won the Chinese Grand Prix. So will we see a first-time winner in Shanghai this weekend? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
Rohit Kumar 
Sara Chavan