The Chinese Grand Prix, a Formula 1 race, will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024 (4/21/24) at the Shanghai Audi International Circuit in Shanghai, China.
Fans can watch the event for free with a fuboTV or DirecTV Stream trial.
Here’s what you need to know:
what: China Grand Prix
who: Formula 1
when: Sunday, April 21, 2024
time: 3 a.m. Eastern Time
where:Shanghai Audi International Circuit
tv set:ESPN
Channel finder: verizon fios, comcast xfinity, spectrum/charter, Optimum/Altis, cox, DirecTV, dish, Hulu, Fubo TV, sling.
Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial)
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Here are some recent AP articles about F1:
SHANGHAI (AP) – The Chinese Grand Prix could bring some much-needed drama to Formula 1, but Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can’t be written off as Sunday’s almost certain winner.
It is also the first GP of the season to feature a sprint race, so Friday’s practice session was the only session of the weekend. McLaren’s Lando Norris took pole position for Saturday’s sprint race after running a rainy qualifying session as drivers struggled to control their cars.
Verstappen was among them.
“It was incredibly slippery outside and we had a really hard time getting the tires up to temperature, so it was very difficult to keep the car on track,” said the three-time world champion. “The car didn’t turn on at all and it felt like I was driving on ice. So I think it was natural that I finished in a sprint.”
Verstappen has won 22 of the last 26 GPs and three of the first four GPs of the season. Only brake problems in Australia hampered his chances of sweeping his first four races. Race 5 could also be a challenge for Verstappen.
Red Bull principal Christian Horner said on Friday: “There are quite a number of variables that could arise and there could probably be unexpected outcomes.” “I think it’s all about action.”
Here’s why:
The track is a bit unknown. This is the first F1 race in China in five years, which was removed from the calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic. The last race was won by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in 2019.
However, the biggest unknown is the condition of the race track surface, which is coated with a thin “seal coating” called liquid asphalt. Drivers repeatedly said, “It looks like it’s been painted.” Tire supplier Pirelli also said it was not fully aware of the changes ahead of the race.
It’s hard to draw any firm conclusions, but an unusual name emerged at the top of Friday’s practice.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll set the fastest time (1 minute 36.302 seconds), followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez were third and fourth, followed by the two Haas drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
China’s first F1 driver, Zhou Guanyu, finished 11th in practice in a Sauber.
Charles Leclerc hinted on Thursday that Ferrari could close the gap on Red Bull. They didn’t do that in Friday’s practice. Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz were 13th and 14th.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said: “Everything we expected in terms of uncertainty has happened and we hope we can have a fun event here in China with some action and opportunities.”
He said the tires had less grip in the practice sessions and the tires were wearing more on the unfamiliar surface.
Drivers spoke at the Japanese Grand Prix two weeks ago about their concerns about the sprint in China. The line, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of central Shanghai, was visible on the distant horizon through hazy smog on Friday.
Horner accepted the concerns, but pointed out that it is well known that the Shanghai circuit has hosted races since 2004.
“We have a lot of historical data from this circuit,” he said. “It’s not like coming to a completely new venue and having to learn from scratch again.”
sprint qualifying
Norris’ qualifying lap in the third sprint session was 1:57.940. Friday’s time in the rain was about 20 seconds slower than when qualifying began in dry conditions.
Norris will start from pole position alongside Hamilton.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso will start on the second row alongside Verstappen. Sainz and Perez are in the third row.
Asked what race conditions would be like on Saturday, Norris said: “I have no idea.”
“It just kept raining,” Norris said. “There was a lot of hydroplaning.”
The length of an F1 sprint is about one-third that of a regular GP. The top eight drivers earn points. 1st place gets 8 points, 2nd place gets 7 points, 3rd place gets 6 points, and so on.
Qualifying was delayed as the rain continued to fall as the session progressed. Leclerc apparently went off the track during a lap and collided with a retaining wall, damaging his front wing.
Many cars struggled to find grip, including Verstappen, who went off the track after one lap.
The sprint continues later on Saturday, followed by qualifying for Sunday’s race.
driver’s shuffle
Horner was asked on Friday whether Red Bull were close to finalizing their driver line-up for next season. Verstappen, of course, has a long-term contract. The problem lies with Perez, whose contract expires at the end of this season.
There are continuing reports that Ferrari’s Sainz is a possibility. His seat at Ferrari will be taken over by Hamilton, who leaves Merdes next year. Sainz is also reportedly in talks with Audi to take over Sauber for the 2026 season.
“We’re in a situation where we’re very happy with both of our drivers,” Horner said. “We don’t have to make a final decision on the lineup until much later in the year.”
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