P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024 Formula 1 season, taking a series of podium results – including a race win.
Ex-Formula 1 strategy engineer Bernie Collins predicts that the Shanghai International Circuit will favor Ferrari’s strengths during the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix weekend. The track will make a return to the F1 calendar after a hiatus since 2019. Red Bull, who have won three out of the first four races, faced a setback in Australia when Max Verstappen had a brake issue, allowing Ferrari to secure a victory. Collins believes that Ferrari has made progress compared to last year, and the circuit layout in China is expected to be advantageous for them. She suggests that Ferrari might have closed the gap to rival Red Bull and pulled ahead of McLaren slightly. This weekend will feature the first Sprint event of the season, with some drivers questioning the decision to introduce this format at a track that hasn’t been raced on for five years. Collins pointed out concerns over Mercedes’ simulation struggles and how it could impact their performance, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new circuit with limited practice time.
