Il Chinese Grand Prix marks a crucial stage in the Formula 1 calendar, not only for the return to Shanghai after five years, but also being the first Sprint weekend of the season. The teams will only have one session to find the right compromise in the set up. Even at Fanta F1 there will be little time to study and make the right choices. In this event, being a Sprint weekend, the choice of drivers must be made by 9am on Friday. So let's see the advice on who to line up in order to place yourself in a good place in the highly coveted ranking of the NOW Community Club.
The key word to describe the weekend is: compromise. In China the choice of setup is not at all obvious due to the dual nature of the track which has both long straights and more guided parts, with slow corners for which the aerodynamic load will be needed. In the past we have seen teams struggle to adapt to the Sprint format which immediately requires an excellent understanding of the track and the weekend. In particular, Ferrari is one of the teams that has performed best during the Sprint weekends. Unlike Red Bull who often struggles to find the right fit after the first free practice session.
Red Bull against Ferrari, many points are at stake
With Max Verstappen at the helm, Red Bull showed extraordinary strength by winning three of the first four races of the season, establishing a margin over its rivals. At the moment the only team that seems to be able to worry the Austrians is themselves Ferrari. The Maranello team responded with a victory and consistent podiums, demonstrating consistency and determination. The Shanghai circuit, with its layout that includes long corners and extended straights, could favor the SF-24, particularly in the expected low-temperature conditions that could exacerbate graining, a weakness for Red Bull in recent years. Sprint puts several points on the table and Ferrari wants to get the best result possible.
At Fanta F1 the driver who had the best start other than Max Verstappen is Carlos Sainz. A couple formed by them seems to be ideal in China too. However, buying them now would be impossible given that Sainz has risen in price. However, for the Fantasy Managers who had chosen him in unsuspecting times, this combination is still possible.
In the center of the group the fight is intense, even on updates
Beyond Ferrari and Red Bull, teams such as McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Haas arrive in China to face unique challenges, both due to the characteristics of the track and the weather conditions. Not having references more recent than 2019, we can only rely on simulations. McLaren isn't all that convinced it can do well in China. The track would not match the characteristics of the MCL38. However, McLaren has also shown in the past that it can capitalize more with the Sprint format.
The situation then becomes more complicated if updates are also added. It's not a given that they work, and trying to figure them out on a Sprint weekend, with the probable risk of rain, is a real gamble. Aston Martin and Haas are the two teams with the most innovations. Aston brought the news to Japan while Haas, in particular, will introduce significant updates in China hoping to regain the points zone but only on Magnussen's car. The American team is perhaps the most difficult to face on the straight, and this can give them an advantage in the race.
Fanta F1 tips China in the NOW Community Club
We have arrived at a choice. As we have already said, pairing Verstappen with Sainz can certainly bring more points, but with 100 credits we must necessarily lower our aim. For the NOW Community Club we have chosen to field a top 5 composed of: VERSTAPPEN – ALONSO – HULKENBERG – SARGEANT - MAGNUSSEN.
The forecast for China
Safety Car in the race: Yes
Virtual Safety Car in the race: Yes
Red Flag in the race: No
Drivers distinguish wet or full wet tires in the race: Yes
Team double in the race: No
Driver who starts on pole wins the race: Yes
Stables to bring both cars into the top 10: 4
Vehicles forced to retire: 3
