FORMULA 1 MOVES TO SHANGHAI AFTER EVENTFUL SEASON OPENER - Motorsportsclicks

Formula 1 heads to Shanghai for the second race of the season after a dramatic and controversial opening weekend in Melbourne. Drivers and fans criticized the new regulations, especially issues with battery recharging and the ease of overtaking, which many believe hurts the quality of racing.

On track, Mercedes dominated the Australian Grand Prix. The team secured a front-row lockout and a one-two finish, with George Russell taking the win and the championship lead. It is the first time Mercedes has led the drivers’ standings since Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Russia in 2021.

Ferrari looked like the second-strongest team. Charles Leclerc finished third after briefly challenging for the lead, while Hamilton showed strong race pace and finished just behind his teammate. The Shanghai circuit could suit Ferrari better, especially with fewer issues related to battery recharge.

Meanwhile, McLaren and Red Bull struggled more than expected. Lando Norris finished fifth after Oscar Piastri crashed on the formation lap, while Max Verstappen recovered from 20th on the grid to finish behind Norris but remained unhappy with the new rules.

Among the surprises of the race were young drivers Oliver Bearman, who finished seventh, and Arvid Lindblad, who scored points on his Formula 1 debut.

What does Pirelli bring to China

For the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, teams will use the same tyre selection as in the last two editions of the race: C2, C3 and C4. These compounds will be used on the 5.451-kilometre Shanghai International Circuit.

Shanghai mixes very fast sections with slow corners. The high-speed S section at Turns 7 and 8 contrasts with slower combinations like Turns 1–3 and Turns 6 and 14. This variety makes the track demanding for tyres and also challenges the energy recovery systems of the new power units.

The circuit was fully resurfaced in August 2024. The new asphalt increased grip and reduced lap times, but its smooth surface caused tyre graining in 2025, especially on the front tyres during the Sprint race. As the weekend progressed, however, track conditions improved and the problem became less severe.