Formula 1 is coming to China. Although qualifying time trials have a history of catching drivers out, it doesn’t look like it happening this time.
The principal reason why is that for a second consecutive year, a wet session has been confirmed for the race. Weather will go a long way to determining a winner this year.
Valtteri Bottas appears to have stolen a march on Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ championship after a solid first practice. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, filled the top two spots.
Hamilton finished on course for pole position as he finished second in practice, but it looks like many of the other drivers are up against it. Max Verstappen set the pace after completing 161 laps and will be hoping that it proves to be a good omen. There should be a quick session this morning.
News of a competitive Bahrain Grand Prix due to be run tomorrow will almost certainly cause a backlash from the majority of F1 fans in China. But car manufacturers will see it as an opportunity to sell more cars.
Massive plaudits for Fernando Alonso who drove to the podium at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. So it is no surprise that he has been voted the best driver of 2017 so far.
It’s India time. The newly-renovated track in the UAE hosts the season-opening race this weekend. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have all assembled their teams and are well rehearsed for the new V6 power units – although in the last couple of years, first practice has been a far more significant marker in determining the result.