With a low-grip track surface, a lack of data and the potential for rain, there are no certainties ahead of the first sprint race of 2024.
Formula 1 articles archive
The Formula 1 world championship began in 1950 and is considered the world’s leading form of single-seater motorsport. The 2024 F1 season is the 75th time the world championship has been held.
A world drivers’ champion has been crowned every year since the series began. Since 1958 a world constructors’ championship title has also been awarded.
The most successful F1 drivers in history are seven-times world champions Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. In 2021 the former became the first and so far only driver to date to win 100 grands prix.
While Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of 2012, Hamilton continues to race. His rival world champions in the series are Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.
There are 10 teams active in the championship, each of which field cars for two drivers. Each team is required to design and build the majority of its cars but may source some parts including engines, gearboxes and certain other components.
Ferrari has won the F1 constructors’ championship more times than any other team, with 16 titles. It is also the only team which has competed in every championship since the first season of Formula 1.
The Formula 1 calendar typically runs from March to November each year. Pre-season tests take place in February and March, and a post-season test is usually scheduled for late November or December.
A championship now includes over three times as many rounds as early seasons did. Seven rounds counted towards the first world championship – including the Indianapolis 500, despite it being run to different rules – but a record-breaking 24 races are scheduled on the 2024 F1 calendar. The series visits Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. It has not raced in Africa since 1993.
Two organisations are responsible for running F1. The Federation Internazionale de l’Automobile (FIA), based in Paris, France, administers and governs the sport. Its commercial rights are leased to Formula 1 Management (FOM) which was purchased by the US-based Liberty Media in 2017.
Index of F1 articles on RaceFans:
Red Bull not close to decision on Verstappen’s 2025 team mate – Horner
Formula 1
Posted onRed Bull won’t make a decision any time soon about who will partner Max Verstappen next season, according to team principal Christian Horner.
Mercedes have ‘chance of being up there’ if sprint race is wet – Hamilton
Formula 1
Posted onLewis Hamilton says that Mercedes ‘have chance of being up there’ in the Shanghai sprint race if conditions are wet again on Saturday.
More FIA member clubs urge Ben Sulayem to begin legal action over allegations
Formula 1
Posted onAnother group of FIA member clubs has written to the governing body’s president recommending legal action over allegations made against him.
2024 Chinese Grand Prix sprint race qualifying day in pictures
F1 Pictures
Posted onPictures from sprint race qualifying day for the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit.
Ferrari need to find solutions to poor wet weather pace – Sainz
Formula 1
Posted onFerrari need to understand why they were much less competitive when rain fell during qualifying, says Carlos Sainz Jnr.
Track was ‘like ice’ says Verstappen after two lap time deletions in qualifying
Formula 1
Posted onMax Verstappen said he found it difficult to keep his car on track when rain fell in qualifying, leading to two of his lap times being deleted.
Norris “sad it’s not proper qualifying” after taking sprint race pole position
Formula 1
Posted onLando Norris said he wished his pole position was for the grand prix after leading a dramatic sprint race qualifying session.
McLaren were “ready to battle” stewards over Norris pole lap deletion
Formula 1
Posted onMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella says that his team were prepared to challenge the stewards had Lando Norris lost his sprint pole lap.
Norris beats Hamilton to sprint race pole in frantic wet qualifying session
Formula 1
Posted onLando Norris secured pole position for the sprint race in Shanghai after the stewards deleted, then reinstated, his best lap time.
2024 Chinese Grand Prix sprint race grid
Formula 1
Posted onLando Norris has taken provisional pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race for McLaren ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Stroll sets the pace in sole Shanghai practice after grassfire causes red flag
Formula 1
Posted onLance Stroll was quickest in the only practice session of the Chinese GP weekend as F1 returned to the Shanghai International Circuit.
Zhou doubts F1 will see more Chinese drivers over next decade
Formula 1
Posted onZhou Guanyu doubts that F1 will see many more Chinese drivers join the series over the coming years despite his participation in the sport.
F1 24 gets revised career mode and handling, rebuilt tracks and May release
Formula 1
Posted onThe official Formula 1 game, F1 24, will feature a revised career mode and handling tweaks. It will arrive earlier than ever, launching next month.
Drivers unsure how new sealant used at Shanghai track will affect racing
Formula 1
Posted onFormula 1 drivers discovered an unexpected change to the track surface at the Shanghai International Circuit ahead of this weekend’s race.
Dry sessions forecast but rain could wash away grip before sprint race
Formula 1
Posted onDrivers could be facing a challenging first sprint race of the season in Shanghai as expected rain could wash away rubber built up on Friday.
Hamilton pins Chinese GP hopes on ‘changes we would have done at Suzuka’
Formula 1
Posted onLewis Hamilton says the progress Mercedes made with its car in the previous race should pay off at this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.
Ricciardo must “get my season going” before thinking of Red Bull drive
Formula 1
Posted onDaniel Ricciardo admits he has “got to get my season going” before he can contemplate potentially rejoining Red Bull’s senior team.
First pictures from the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix weekend
F1 Pictures
Posted onPictures from the build-up to the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit.
Alonso says he needs Stroll’s help to get “100%” from Aston Martin’s car
Formula 1
Posted onFernando Alonso says the help he gets from his team mate Lance Stroll is vital to ensure Aston Martin get the most out of their car.