Questions and answers before the 1000th Grand Prix

What's up? Regardless of the sporting events, the race has already secured its place in the history books: according to official accounts, it is the 1000th Grand Prix in the premier class. Was Shanghai the first choice for the big anniversary? No. The Formula 1 management preferred a traditional route. The favorite was Silverstone, where the very first Grand Prix took place on May 13, 1950. However, they didn't want to risk a rain battle like in Donington 1993 or Silverstone 2000, when the April date turned out to be a failure. So the choice fell on Shanghai, which has been set as the third round of the season for years. However, the Chinese economic metropolis has not always delivered sunshine in the past. In 2017, Friday training even had to be canceled because the rescue helicopter did not have sufficient visibility in the thick smog. What is sport about? Ferrari was in top form in Bahrain two weeks ago, and the competition with Mercedes at the top has since then been trembling with the acceleration values of the red racers - especially since there is a 1,2 km long straight on the Shanghai International Circuit. However, the Ferrari SF90 has also revealed teething problems so far: In Australia the Scuderia crew couldn't find the right set-up, in Bahrain Charles Leclerc lost what he thought was a certain victory due to a cylinder defect.

Mercedes may not have the basic speed of the Reds, but the Silver Arrow is as reliable as ever. That was enough for two double victories. Almost more interesting than the overall sporting weather situation is the question of whether Ferrari's long-time number one Sebastian Vettel will again be overtaken by newcomer Leclerc.

The patience of the Italian press with the four-time world champion from Germany seems to have run out; in Vettel's fifth year in Maranello, nothing other than the title will be accepted. The 31-year-old is only fifth in the World Cup with 22 points, Leclerc has four points more - which is flattering from the perspective of the recently nervous Vettel. Melbourne winner Valtteri Bottas (46) is at the top ahead of world champion and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton (45).

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Questions and answers before the 1000th Grand Prix

The third round of the 1 Formula 2019 season takes place on Sunday (8.10:XNUMX a.m. CET) in Shanghai (China). We answer the most important questions.

Suggestions