From the opening race of the season in rainy Melbourne, we move straight to China, where the first sprint race of the season will also take place. But there are a few other topics we should also focus on over the weekend.
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| Photo: Mark Sutton |
Will Mclaren be affected by new rear wing tests?
During the race weekend in China, new rules regarding the flexibility of the rear wings, also known as the so-called "mini DRS", will come into force. The rules concern reducing the gap between the main part of the wing and the upper part from 0.5mm to 0.20mm. McLaren was famous for its "trick" with the mini DRS, when the upper part was slightly bent, which increased the gap and the car had slightly less resistance on the straight. The question is how much this new rule will affect the teams and McLaren in particular. In any case, it is expected that the circuit in China should suit McLaren very well.
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| Photo: Zak Mauger |
Will we see a more powerful Ferrari?
The opening race of the season was a disaster for Ferrari, with the Maranello team scoring just 5 points and struggling in the race, partly due to their very poor strategy, which left the drivers on a wet track with their sry tyres. It was definitely not the dream debut Lewis Hamilton had imagined for Ferrari. So can Ferrari recover in China?
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| Photo: Steven Tee |
Can Antonelli follow up on his performances from Melbourne?
Only 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli made his debut race last weekend, where he finished in an excellent 4th place, but in dry qualifying he only took 16th place. He literally survived in a difficult race and benefited a lot from the mistakes of the other drivers, and at the finish he was in fourth place. But can this youngster follow up on his performance in the race and improve his qualifying pace? Let's also add that Kimi was allegedly slightly damaged in the floor during qualifying.
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| Photo: Sam Bloxham |
Is Williams' pace really that good?
Williams, who have struggled in recent years and have barely been able to compete for points, had a dream race in Melbourne. Alex Albon finished in an amazing fifth place, Williams' best finish since Spa 2021, when there was no racing and the race was basically just one red flag. Williams is currently fourth in the Constructors' Championship, but can the English team maintain their form and score points in China?
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| Photo: Sam Bloxham |