Preview: The 2018 Chinese Grand Prix

This weekend marks the third race on the Formula 1 calendar. The teams head to China in what should be another fascinating race. It's another early start with the race starting at 7:10am on Sunday. Qualifying takes place at 7am the day before.

The 2017 Chinese Grand Prix began in a typical style. Lewis Hamilton started from pole position and ran unchallenged right through to the chequered flag. His Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas ruined his own race by spinning whilst the race was under the safety car. A 6th place was all he could recover. Sebastian Vettel had an up and down race but managed to regain his qualifying position of 2nd by the 42nd lap.

Max Verstappen started 16th on the grid but in standard ‘mad Max’ form, he wrestled with the car darting through traffic to finish on the podium. Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth whilst the other Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen rounded out the top 5. Hamilton received 7 points more than Championship rival Sebastian Vettel. These 7 points levelled the drivers' championship standings setting up was we thought would be an exciting championship battle!

Grand Prix Bahrain 2017 podium

1. Lewis Hamilton 1:37:36.158

2. Sebastian Vettel        +6.250

3. Max Verstappen        +45.192

The Bahrain Grand Prix proved that Formula one is starting to become harder to predict. Ferrari has already shown signs of having more speed than Mercedes, but expect this to be certified with Shanghai’s two super long straights. To accompany these two straights, the 3.4mi circuit has numerous tight turns including the turn 14 hairpin, where plenty of overtakes can happen with 1170m of DRS in the build up.

Mercedes quite simply have to stop Sebastian Vettel. If Vettel comes away with a hat-trick of wins to start the season then the pressure will mount on Hamilton. The current World champion has won in China 5 times (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2017). A man who also holds the current lap recorded smashing Schumacher’s effort 14 years ago with a 1:31.678.

In terms of Ferrari, Raikkonen has been unlucky so far in 2018. After the pit-stop incident forcing last weekends retirement, he’s already 35 points down on Sebastian Vettel. This might prompt Ferrari to start favouring the German that little bit more knowing he has a more realistic chance of taking the crown.

Toro Rosso Honda blew everyone away last weekend sending shockwaves through the F1 paddock. Pierre Gasly finished 4th providing plenty of confidence in the Honda engine. The team will head to China carrying slightly more expectation on their shoulders. The Shanghai International Circuit is similar to Bahrain so they won’t have to change too much in the hope of repeating last weeks performance.

Haas, Renault and Toro Rosso all finished higher than McLaren but McLaren are the ones leading the midfield pack as they have found more consistency between two drivers. McLaren is actually 3rd in the constructors' standings but expect this to change as Red Bull look to perform after a disastrous Grand Prix in Bahrain.

There’s no rain expected to fall during the race on Sunday but the track is expected to be at least damp during qualifying. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 15c-17c range throughout the race weekend, making it a little cooler than last week. Light rain is also expected on Friday so a green track is likely.

This will make qualifying a little more important. With a fired up Lewis Hamilton, we’re predicting that the Brit will produce one of his monster qualifying laps to end up in pole position. But we expect this to leave him with Ferrari’s breathing down his neck.

Expect the first lap of the race to be chaotic, more than usual. The track will most likely be green making it slightly harder for drivers to find the grip they need. We think that the W09 will be again outdone by Vettel on one of the straights should he remain in the DRS window by the time it is enabled. Red Bull are desperate for points and if they can get the issues out the way, one of the drivers will be there or thereabouts when it comes to the podium positions.

1. Sebastian Vettel

2. Lewis Hamilton

3. Max Verstappen

4. Valtteri Bottas

5. Kimi Raikkonen