China GP Sprint Qualifying Report

The first sprint race of the year saw us introduced to the new sprint format.  The sprint idea has been in place for 4 years and is now in its 4th reincarnation.  I thought I would have something meaty to look forward to after work on Friday but it was only the measly Sprint Qually.

Homeboy Zhou made it through the first session just ahead of Gasly, Ocon, Albon, Tsunoda and Sargeant.  At the close of the session the grass at the side of the track caught fire again.  The sparks from the skid blocks keep setting the hot, dry grass on fire.  What will happen if this occurs during a race?

The fire delayed the start of the second session, despite the rain.  Rain was predicted for the end of the session and it arrived bang on time with 3 minutes to go.  This killed the best laps of Russell and Ricciardo but you have to question why they didn't do better times earlier.  Out went Russell, Magnussen ahead of his team mate Hulkenberg, Ricciardo (at least beating his team mate for the first time this season) and Stroll (a mere 6 places behind his team mate, who has signed a 2 year contract this week).

The third session was properly wet and, thrillingly, they didn't red flag it but let the drivers get on with their job.  LeClerc spun off and clunked his rear wing against the tyre wall (the amount of damage was never reported).  Verstappen also went off but only after setting the fastest lap.  Zhou set a good time and then had his time deleted for track limits.  Vestappen did this a couple of times, along with Hamilton and Norris.  Pole kept changing as the laps were set and then times deleted (including Norris holding pole).  Just when it was looking like experience was the best quality to help you secure pole with Hamilton first then Alonso, Norris's deleted lap time was reinstated and he did take pole.  Behind him was Hamilton, Alonso, Vestappen, Sainz, Perez, LeClerc, Piastri, Bottas and Zhou.

Verstappen isn't known for his wet weather performance but with the rest of the weekend forecast to be dry this won't make any difference to whether or not he will win everything.

The most exciting thing was nearly Albon's panda helmet, which scored him a lot of airtime until he went out early but the rain made this a thriller but his friend Norris on pole is the big news.  Can he win it?