F1 Chinese GP: practice report, qualifying, race start time, predictions, betting odds, TV guide

2019 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix

• What: race No.3 on the F1 2019 calendar 
• When: 12-14 April 
• Where: Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China
• Race start time: 7.10am on Sunday 14 April
• TV channels: live on Sky Sports F1 and highlights on Channel 4

Friday’s two free practice (FP) sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix have seen Formula 1’s “big three” – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – battle it out at the top of the leaderboard.

In FP1 Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel struck the first blow in Shanghai, Sky Sports reports, after finished ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton on the timesheets.

However, in FP2 it was Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas who set the fastest time at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Bottas, the current world championship leader, recorded a time of 1:33.330 to finish ahead of Ferrari’s Vettel and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Sky Sports F1’s Johnny Herbert said: “We knew Ferrari and Mercedes would be quick but it’s great to see Red Bull in the mix. It’s only a couple of tenths between the top three which is brilliant.”

F1.com added: “So, with qualifying 24 hours away, there appears to be nothing between Mercedes and Ferrari – but Verstappen appears to be in the mix for Red Bull as well, and would surely love to become F1’s 100th polesitter in the 1,000th world championship event.”

Saturday’s third practice session in Shanghai starts at 4am (UK time) and qualifying begins at 7am.

Here in our 2019 F1 Chinese GP guide we look at what the drivers are saying about the 1,000th race, the schedule in Shanghai, predictions, betting odds and TV details.

1,000th race

It’s celebration time for Formula 1 as this weekend’s Chinese GP marks the sport’s 1,000th world championship race. F1 teams and drivers have their say ahead of a milestone weekend. 

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari: “In the past I’ve had some good races here with Ferrari, coming very close to winning. Maybe this time we’ll get that little bit of luck, so that we can really celebrate the thousandth Formula 1 race.”

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: “Usually, the Chinese race is good fun, because the weather can be unpredictable and rain can arrive when you least expect it. It’s the thousandth race in the history of Formula 1 and I hope the car will be as good as it was in Bahrain, so that I can continue to go for the results we deserve.”

Nico Hülkenberg, Renault: “China is a busier one away from track as Formula 1 continues to grow in popularity there. It’s the 1,000th Formula 1 grand prix and that’s quite special to be a part in. The fans are usually very excited in Shanghai, which is awesome to see and makes it even more important for us to put on a show. Renault is a big market in China and there will be a lot of activities going on to harness that.”

Romain Grosjean, Haas: “It’s great. I’ve been following Formula 1 for a long time – not since the 50s, obviously – but I’ve been in love with the sport since the early 90s. Reaching 1,000 races for Formula 1 is very impressive. When they started, I’m sure they didn’t think it would come this far. It’s pretty impressive. It’s going to be a great grand prix in China. I’m looking forward to the event and, hopefully, some good luck.”

Lance Stroll, Racing Point: “I’m proud to be on the grid for the 1,000th F1 race. I’ve been watching this sport all of my life and I must have seen well over 250 races. When I was very young and living in Canada I would wake up early to watch the races in Europe at breakfast time. I remember supporting Michael Schumacher and I would always go to the Canadian race with my dad each year.”

Sergio Perez, Racing Point: “As it’s the 1,000th race, I’ve been thinking about some of the races I remember watching when I was younger. The first race I attended as a fan was Indianapolis in 2002 when I was 12 years old. It was the prize after winning a karting race in Miami organised by Juan Pablo Montoya. As a driver, the most memorable F1 race for me was probably Malaysia 2012. It was my second year in F1 and I finished on the podium in second place after a fantastic battle with Fernando Alonso.”

Robert Kubica, Williams: “It will be a privilege to drive in the 1,000th grand prix in Formula 1; it is a big achievement for all the F1 world and for the fans. It will make me very happy and proud to have the opportunity to participate.”

George Russell, Williams: “I am really looking forward to China as it is a circuit I have never raced at before. It is always a great experience driving on a new track. It is the 1,000th grand prix for Formula 1 so it is great to be one of the 20 drivers that are a part of that. There is so much history in the sport and this will be a historic race, so I am extremely proud to be lining up on the grid in Shanghai.”

Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal: “1,000 races over almost 70 years is testament to the fantastic tradition and heritage of this sport. We’re proud to represent one of the world’s biggest brands in the series and we will do our very best to put on a good show on this historic occasion.”

Otmar Szafnauer, team principal of Racing Point: “The Chinese Grand Prix – the 1,000th Formula 1 race – is a milestone for the sport and one we will celebrate by carrying special stickers on our cars this weekend. This team, through its various guises, has played its part in about half of those races, and enjoyed plenty of special days over the last 29 years.”

2019 F1 Chinese GP race guide

• First grand prix: 2004 
• Number of laps: 56 
• Circuit length: 5.451km 
• Race distance: 305.066km 
• Lap record: 1:32.238 by Michael Schumacher in 2004 
• 2018 podium: 1st Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing); 2nd Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes); 3rd Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)

When are the practice sessions?

There are three full practice (FP) sessions in China. On Friday 12 April FP1 takes place at 3am and FP2 is at 7am. FP3 will be at 4am on Saturday 13 April. All times UK.

When is qualifying?

Qualifying for the F1 Chinese GP starts at 7am on Saturday 13 April.

What time does the race start?

The 2019 F1 Chinese Grand Prix starts at 7.10am (UK time) on Sunday 14 April.

Chinese GP predictions

Joe Krishnan, London Evening Standard – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “It’s impressive how the youngster has settled so quickly into life at Ferrari considering his tender age and the fact it’s only his second season in the sport. But the manner in which he dominated the whole race weekend in Bahrain would have certainly wowed the bosses at Maranello while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel continues to struggle for consistent pace. For now, the Scuderia may be best placed in backing the 21-year-old while he’s quickest and with the fastest car in a straight line, they have to get their strategy bang on in Shanghai. After the car let Leclerc down just ten laps from victory in Sakhir, there’s no reason why Ferrari should deny their prodigy a maiden win at the third attempt.”

Anish Vishwakoti, Sportskeeda – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “With the new talent of Leclerc arriving in F1 as we reach this huge milestone of 1,000 race, while I see the old guard of Hamilton taking pole on Saturday, I feel that in China he [Leclerc] will finally get his first win after a fantastic drive. While it may not be a passing of the torch, it will be the spark that lights Leclerc’s possible patch to real world championship contention.”

Matthew Atkinson, The Stats Zone – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “The 1,000th grand prix looks set to be a close fight between Mercedes and Ferrari. The Shanghai International Circuit is dominated by the pit straight, one of the longest on the F1 calendar, this should play to Ferrari’s power advantage in a straight line. However, there are many overtaking opportunities, especially into the never-ending turn one, which Hamilton will exploit. Sebastian Vettel will be keen to answer his critics and Charles Leclerc will be intending to put the torment of Bahrain behind him with another commanding performance. The youngster could well seal his first F1 victory this weekend. He has the motivation, pace and controlled aggression.”

Betting odds

Prices according to Oddschecker, as of 12 April.

Chinese GP race winner odds

• Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari): 7/4
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 2/1
• Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 15/4
• Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes): 12/1
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 16/1
• Pierre Gasly (Red Bull): 100/1 

Chinese GP TV guide

Sky Sports F1 will show live coverage of practice, qualifying and the GP from Shanghai. Channel 4 will show highlights of qualifying and the race.

Watch on Now TV

F1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports F1 season ticket via Now TV for all race weekends in 2019. A one-off payment costs £195 – the equivalent of £5 per week.

Sky Sports coverage of the Chinese GP

Thursday 11 April

• 7am: drivers’ press conference live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 10am: Welcome to the Weekend live

Friday 12 April

• 2.45am: practice one build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 3am: practice one live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 6.45am: practice two build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 7am: practice two live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 9am: Chinese GP: The Story So Far (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)

Saturday 13 April

• 3.45am: practice three build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 4am: practice three live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 5.10am: Paddock Walkabout live 
• 6am: qualifying build-up (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 7am: qualifying live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 8.30am: The F1 Show live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event)

Sunday 14 April

• 5.30am: Pit Lane live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 6.30am: Chinese GP On The Grid live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 7.10am: F1 Chinese Grand Prix live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 9am: Chinese GP paddock live (simulcast on Sky One) 
• 10am: Chinese GP: The Notebook live 
• 10.30am: Chinese GP full race replay (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event) 
• 1.35pm: Chinese GP full race replay

Channel 4 coverage of the Chinese GP

• Saturday 13 April: qualifying highlights at 1pm 
• Sunday 14 April: race highlights at 3pm