Shanghai Showdown: Three Key Predictions for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix
It’s almost lights out in Shanghai. After a chaotic, stormy first race weekend in Melbourne, it’s likely a sigh of relief for every F1 driver that Sunday’s forecast calls for clear skies and, more importantly, predictable track conditions. The Chinese Grand Prix is also the first Sprint race weekend of the year, which will take place while many fans worldwide are still asleep on Saturday. Let’s look at three predictions for Sunday’s race based on what we’ve learned from the weekend so far.
All Al-Board!
Some may call Carlos Sainz’s mistake in Melbourne, which ultimately led to a DNF, a fluke. I believe it’s an omen for what’s to come. After a stellar performance in Australia, Alex Albon has yet again out-qualified his new teammate for the Sprint Race. China has historically been a tough circuit for Williams, with Albon finishing in 12th and ex-racer Logan Sargeant finishing in 17th last year, but the British team’s offseason development seems to already be paying off. Albon is also the team’s more tenured driver, which may give him a leg up on the former Ferrari man when it comes to strategy and upgrades.
Pity the Papaya
Data collected by F1 experts shows that McLaren missed out on a one-four finish in Sprint Qualifying due to driver error and strategy misfires. If that’s any sign as to what’s to come, perhaps Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri should begin looking ahead to Suzuka. I predict that only one McLaren driver will stand atop the podium in China on Sunday afternoon. This will likely be due to the team’s hesitance to let their drivers race and the talent that will surround them high up on the grid.
Keep It Up, Kimi
A wet-weather rookie masterclass. That’s something you don’t see every day. However, for young Kimi Antonelli, that’s exactly what last race weekend in Melbourne was. Though the Chinese Grand Prix is not forecasted to have wet weather, I still predict that Antonelli will finish in the points ahead of his seasoned teammate, George Russell. Russell did decently well in Shanghai last year, finishing P6. However, Antonelli has shown excellence in similar tracks with tight turns and long straights, like at Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
