Alonso Reveals Two Teams That He Expects To Be 'Very Fast' In China

Tuesday, 16 April 2024 at 01:30

Fernando Alonso assessed the characteristics of the Shanghai International Circuit and proposed two teams that he expects to perform strongly during this week's race weekend.

F1 heads to Shanghai this week for the return of the Chinese Grand Prix after five years. The last time F1 was in China, Mercedes dominated, Max Verstappen didn't have a single Championship, Daniel Ricciardo was in Renault, and Ollie Bearman competed in go-karts.

Everything has obviously changed since then. The Chinese Grand Prix will be a sprint weekend, so all the teams with their drivers will only have one practice session to familiarize themselves with the circuit.

What's more, the current generation of cars is very different from what it used to be the last time F1 was in China, so it remains to be seen how each of the F1 teams can deal with this chaotic week, as Oscar Piastri called it. According to Planet F1, Fernando Alonso said:

"I think, always, it gives us a little bit more of an opportunity when you have a little bit of deficit on the pace. Mixed conditions or a sprint weekend, all these kinds of things always give you something extra. But it's gonna be tough."

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The double world champion suggested that the team he expects to perform the best could be similar to Australia, which was perhaps the best circuit for Ferrari so far.

"I think China, with these long corners, a front-limited circuit – maybe like Australia – I expect Ferrari to be very fast. But also Red Bull and… let's see. We have a very powerful DRS, and maybe that helps on the long China straight, so let's see."

Ferrari scored a one-two in Australia, albeit with the help of Verstappen's retirement. Nevertheless, the team from Maranello looked very competitive in Melbourne. Could the Chinese Grand Prix present yet another opportunity for Scuderia to score big?