SHANGHAI (AP) — The Chinese Grand Prix could deliver some much-needed drama to Formula One, meaning Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can’t be penciled in as the almost-certain winner on Sunday.
The three-time world champion has won 22 of the last 26 GPs and three of the first four this season. Only brake failure in Australia kept him from possibly sweeping the first four races.
“It’s got the probability of throwing up quite a few variables and, perhaps, some unexpected results,” Red Bull principal Christian Horner said Friday. ”I think it’s going to be all action.”
Here’s why.
The track is a slight unknown. This is the first F1 race in China in five years, scratched from the calendar by the COVID-19 pandemic. The last was won in 2019 by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
It’s also the season’s first with a Saturday sprint race, which means Friday’s practice session was the only one of the weekend.
Inside luxury brands' STAGGERING price hikes
Feature: Australian winemaker looks to go deep into Chinese market
Rohingya ordered by Myanmar officer to ‘fight for our faith’ — Radio Free Asia
Tyler Lussi powers Courage to win over Thorns in NWSL
Thailand urges Myanmar’s junta to free Aung San Suu Kyi — Radio Free Asia
Sports equipment exports from Yiwu to France surge 70 percent ahead of Paris Olympics
Kowalczyk's first career goal sends Dynamo past Minnesota United 2
U.S. CDC concerned about salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes
More people are evacuated after the dramatic eruption of an Indonesian volcano
Death toll rises to 30 in Japanese quakes: local gov't
Alleged homicide suspect fatally shot by police in San Francisco Bay Area
14 dead in road accident in India