Last Updated on April 18, 2024 6:22 pm by Erwin Noguera

The 2024 Chinese GP marks the return of Formula 1 to the Shanghai International Circuit after a five-year break next weekend on April 18-21, 2024. The race was last held in 2019 before being canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduling issues also kept the F1 away in 2022 and 2023.

The Chinese Grand Prix has been held at the Shanghai circuit since 2004, making it a spectacular stop on the F1 calendar. Its return in 2024 is welcomed by drivers, teams, and fans alike.

After this race, F1 will bid farewell to Asia until the Singapore Grand Prix in September. With a thrilling championship battle expected between Max Verstappen and others, the return to China adds an exciting new variable.

The Place: Shanghái International Circuit

The Shanghai International Circuit is one of the most unique tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. Built in 2004, the 5.451 km track features an exceptional layout with several high-speed straights and tight corners, which will be fundamental to the development of the race.

The most recognizable part of the track is the extremely extensive back straight, which is more than 1 km long. That provides drivers with an excellent overtaking opportunity as they exit the final hairpin and proceed down the straight at more than 310 km/h (310 mph). In terms of important corners, turns 1 and 2 are notable as they form a high-speed right-left combination. Drivers enter at over 250 km/h and must demonstrate precision and courage in these early fast corners.

The middle sector of the track features the sequence of serpentine turns 11, 12, and 13. This winding section challenges the pace and flow of the drivers as they navigate between the tight corners. Good traction in these corners is essential for a fast lap time.

Lewis Hamilton is the king of the Chinese Grand Prix throughout his Formula 1 career, showing his dominance of the Shanghai International Circuit. The seven-time world champion has finished on the podium on multiple occasions at this track, including winning the race five times in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2017.

Where can I watch it?

ESPN

Format: Sprint

The idea of organizing the Chinese GP next week under the Sprint format has generated criticism from Formula 1 drivers. However, this generates much more expectation from the fans.

Recall that the Sprint format will be as follows:

Thursday, April 18

Practice 1 – 23:30 ET

Friday, April 19

Sprint Qualifying – 03:30 ET

Sprint – 23:00 ET

Saturday, April 20

Qualifying – 03:00 ET

Sunday, April 21

Race – 03:00 ET

Remember that points are also distributed in the Sprint Race, and we will show you the distribution below:

·1st place – 8 Pts

·2nd place – 7 Pts

·3rd place – 6 Pts

·4th place – 5 Pts

·5th place – 4 Pts

·6th place – 3 Pts

·7th place – 2 Pts

·8th place – 1 Pts

2024 Chinese GP Preview – Betting Odds

When: 

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Betting Odds:

Verstappen, Max 1.17

Perez, Sergio 10.00

Sainz Jr, Carlos 15.00

Leclerc, Charles 15.00

Norris, Lando 36.00

Hamilton, Lewis 41.00

Russell, George 41.00

Piastri, Oscar 41.00

Alonso, Fernando 100.00

Magnussen, Kevin 100.00

Stroll, Lance 100.00

Ocón, Esteban 100.00

Sargeant, Logan 100.00

Albon, Alexander 100.00

Gasly, Pierre 100.00

Ricciardo, Daniel 100.00

Tsunoda, Yuki 100.00

Zhou, Guanyu 100.00

Hulkenberg, Niko 100.00

Bottas, Valtteri 100.00

2024 Chinese GP Betting Picks

Despite never having won the Chinese Grand Prix before, Max Verstappen enters as the clear favorite to take the checkered flag in Shanghai. The reigning World Champion has been dominant in 2024, extending his astonishing dominance over the past two seasons, winning two of the first three races. With the superior straight-line speed of his Red Bull, Verstappen has been almost unbeatable on long straights, which the Shanghai circuit has in abundance.

Sainz brought out the Spanish caste at the start of the F1 season, as the Spaniard managed to win the Australia GP after Verstappen had a problem with his brakes. He also finished on the podium in Bahrain and Japan, indicating that he has the pace to mix it at the front.

Perez has had trouble matching Verstappen’s pace in recent years, but, in 2024, the Mexican has shown a 180° change in his performance. If “Checo” can qualify strongly and execute a good strategy in the race, he could put pressure on his teammate. A podium or a win is not out of the question.

Finally, we can say that our prediction for the 2024 China GP is as follows:

1st Place: Max Verstappen

2nd Place: Sergio Perez 

3rd Place: Carlos Sainz

The post 2024 Chinese GP Preview and Betting Odds first appeared on Gambyl Sports Betting Exchange.