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This is what we thought after the second race of the season…
Piastri emerges as Norris’ foremost title challenger
Regardless of early struggles in Shanghai, has confirmed its standing as early-season favorite in the primary race. Nonetheless, the identical cannot be mentioned for . The British driver had a messy weekend and clearly did not get probably the most out of it. The dash was notably poor for Norris, who made life tough for himself with a mistake on the primary lap.
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It was who was the clear frontrunner for McLaren in Shanghai, and with second place on Saturday and victory on Sunday, the Australian has now put himself ready to be Norris’ foremost challenger for the title this yr – because it seems to be more and more unlikely that different groups can catch McLaren.
Piastri lower his deficit from 23 factors to only 10 in China – and with a dominant efficiency on Sunday, he seems to be like a driver able to problem for the title in 2025.
– Oleg Karpov
Verstappen is true: Purple Bull 4th group in F1, however he’s compensating
was very clear when he confronted the Dutch media after qualifying within the Shanghai paddock. The primary headlines from his session? Purple Bull is the fourth group in F1 and can be faster within the automobile.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Frederic Vasseur, FerrariSam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
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After Sunday, it’s laborious to know: , who had been struggling all weekend, almost ended the race for each SF-25s when he made contact together with his team-mate within the first nook and broke a big a part of his entrance wing.
So we thought his race was going within the improper path… However ultimately it was fairly the alternative: regardless of a lack of “20 to 30 factors” in aerodynamic effectivity, Leclerc had by no means appeared so snug and fast, to the extent that he needed to swap positions with Hamilton – much less spectacular than on Friday – to present him an opportunity to catch Russell! After which he was later caught by Verstappen…
Briefly, after Melbourne, Ferrari’s actual efficiency (with out injury) stays a little bit of a thriller.
– Fabien Gaillard
It is not all dangerous for Haas
Haas’ first laps of the 2025 F1 season on the Australian GP had been so dangerous that group boss Ayao Komatsu was stunned to search out that nothing was damaged on the automobile. After qualifying final there, the group recognized a elementary difficulty that would see them caught behind the grid – however the solar got here out for the group in China.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
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Ocon got here shut to creating Q3 on Saturday and held on for factors within the race, ending seventh forward of a .
Maybe probably the most smart method is to attend just a few extra races earlier than defining the pecking order in an especially tight midfield the place it is nonetheless unclear which group is backside. In China it was , however the seek for the backmarker continues…
– Jose Carlos de Celis
caught out by FIA’s stricter flexibility guidelines?
Alpine had proven good tempo at each the Bahrain take a look at and Melbourne, however China was a unique story for the Enstone-based outfit, as neither nor had been capable of progress from SQ1 and Q1 within the qualifying periods for the Chinese language Grand Prix.
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Whereas the race appeared higher with Gasly in P11, what has modified in per week? The FIA’s stricter rear wing flexibility rule change. Alpine racing director Dave Greenwood confirmed that the group needed to make some last-minute modifications to make sure they complied with the discount in rear wing flexibility.
Requested on Saturday if the rule change was the explanation for Alpine’s drop in tempo at a observe that options one of many longest straights on the calendar, Doohan was light-hearted: “Happily I am the motive force, not the engineer”. He’s most likely proper, because it seems to be just like the group should do some behind-the-scenes work for Suzuka.
– Federico Faturos
Pictures from Chinese language GP – RaceLando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLarenSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Drivers and group personnel collect to recollect the late Eddie Jordan
Drivers and group personnel collect to recollect the late Eddie JordanSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Pierre Gasly, AlpineSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Drivers and group personnel collect to recollect the late Eddie Jordan
Drivers and group personnel collect to recollect the late Eddie JordanSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
The Aston Martin F1 Group within the Pitlane
The Aston Martin F1 Group within the PitlaneDom Romney / Motorsport Photographs
Dom Romney / Motorsport Photographs
The McLaren group stand in tribute to the late Eddie Jordan
The McLaren group stand in tribute to the late Eddie JordanSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesRed Bull Content material Pool
Purple Bull Content material Pool
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 TeamSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group, Carlos Sainz, WilliamsSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariZak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group, James Vowles, Williams, Helmut Marko, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group, James Vowles, Williams, Helmut Marko, Purple Bull RacingRed Bull Content material Pool
Purple Bull Content material Pool
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Group
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 TeamRed Bull Content material Pool
Purple Bull Content material Pool
Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari
Zhou Guanyu, FerrariSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Alexandra Saint Mleux and Lily Muni He stroll within the Paddock
Alexandra Saint Mleux and Lily Muni He stroll within the Paddock Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Oliver Oakes, Alpine, Laurent Mekies, RB F1 Group
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Oliver Oakes, Alpine, Laurent Mekies, RB F1 TeamRed Bull Content material Pool
Purple Bull Content material Pool
Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari
Zhou Guanyu, FerrariAndy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Jack Doohan, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Jack Doohan, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 TeamAndy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Jack Doohan, AlpineSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Frederic Vasseur, FerrariRed Bull Content material Pool
Purple Bull Content material Pool
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Atmopshere
AtmopshereAndy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Purple Bull RacingSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, MercedesBryn Lennon – Components 1
Bryn Lennon – Components 1
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, MercedesAndy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariHector Retamal – AFP – Getty Photographs
Hector Retamal – AFP – Getty Photographs
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariZak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Group
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 TeamRed Bull Content material Pool
Purple Bull Content material Pool
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesZak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Jack Doohan, AlpineSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenHector Retamal – AFP – Getty Photographs
Hector Retamal – AFP – Getty Photographs
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariJade Gao – Getty Photographs
Jade Gao – Getty Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenMark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 TeamSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberAndy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLarenSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariClive Mason – Getty Photographs
Clive Mason – Getty Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenMark Thompson – Getty Photographs
Mark Thompson – Getty Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Group
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, RB F1 TeamRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Photographs
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Photographs
Andrea Stella, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren
Andrea Stella, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLarenSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLarenSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull RacingSam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLarenSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenJade Gao – Getty Photographs
Jade Gao – Getty Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, MercedesSam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesAndy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, MercedesSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLarenAndy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLarenSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
