This week Formula 1 landed in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix. Since 2004 this circuit has provided us with a great show. This weekend too was no disappointment. What a race! We began the weekend full of uncertainties with even the weather threatening the fun.
On Friday as the day was dawning, rain and fog were the antagonists. Starting free practice 1, the track was wet with a light drizzle but drivable. The cars were on the track without any problems, but just briefly. The red flag was waved and the cars returned to the box. The lack of visibility due to fog prevented the medical helicopter from landing at the designated hospital. Had there been an accident the patient could not have been airlifted to a hospital. The free practice 2 brought us more of the same, the cars did not even make one lap. Not only had the fog caused delays, but now even the local airport was closed. In this way, we got to Saturday for the free practice 3 and the classification. Vettel marked the best time of the last practice of the weekend. But the time came for the truth of the actual classification.
The classification went smoothly, with some spin by Grosjean and an accident involving the young Giovinazzi, who this weekend again replaced Pascal Wehrlein. The battle for pole was taken by Hamilton. Vettel was able to position himself again among the Mercedes and take second place, followed by Bottas.
On Sunday, we started the race without rain but with a wet track. All the cars came with the intermediate tire, except the Spanish driver Carlos Sainz made the decision to leave with the soft tire, leaving him back many positions at the start, but then climbed to the top of the grid, proving that it was the right choice. So, the majority of drivers took advantage of the virtual safety car that caused Stroll to copy the strategy of Sainz. Among the few drivers who not did change strategie was Lewis Hamilton. If Giovinazzi had not had an accident causing a safety car, the race of the Englishman would have been severely compromised. It seems that at the start of the season Mercedes has a hard time making decisions, years of dominance has left them a little asleep at the wheel.
Far from the head of the race, but not too far away, we found Fernando Alonso with his Mclaren in seventh position. The Spaniard demonstrated his talent at the wheel, as he is in his best form despite not having a competitive car but is still able to work magical with it. Despite the effort he made, it did not have a happy ending as Alonso starred in a nice battle on the track, he beat his countryman Sainz, who had broken a bearing that leaving him out of the race. A pity not to have the Spaniard at the head of the race leading big battles. Those fighting those battles were Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. Both drivers carried out great overtaking on the track, proving to be above their teammates. So, they finally filled the podium that was topped by Hamilton.
If I could choose one word to describe the Chinese Grand Prix it would be spectacular. It has given us excellent overtaking, a podium filled with three different teams, and a tied world championship. Can you ask for more?