P1racenews AI automatic summary:
But for an issue on Oscar Piastri’s car, McLaren may well have ended up with a 1-2 in qualifying for the Chinese GP sprint race. As it happened, it was still 1.3s faster than the next-best thing around a wet Shanghai F1 track. Mark Hughes explains where that advantage has come from
Oscar Piastri’s car experienced a technical issue, causing him to start seven places behind his pole-sitting teammate, Lando Norris, due to a neutral gear selection during acceleration at the Chinese Grand Prix sprint. Norris’s lap was 1.3 seconds faster than Lewis Hamilton and over two seconds quicker than Max Verstappen, who starts fourth, in unpredictable SQ3 conditions. The McLaren proved superior in managing tire temperatures compared to Red Bull, which struggled with grip, causing Verstappen to liken driving on ice. McLaren’s success on wet tracks can be attributed to their wing choice and the unique track surface coating. Despite a lack of DRS performance, McLaren remains competitive down straights, highlighting their emphasis on downforce over Red Bull’s approach. McLaren’s compromise between speed and downforce strategically differs from other top teams, such as Red Bull and Ferrari, showcasing their unique approach to race strategy.
