The Chinese Grand Prix is set to kick off this weekend, and it is expected to be a belter of a contest as the Shanghai circuit returns after a much-awaited gap of five years in Formula 1. Additionally, the Chinese Grand Prix is set to kick off with the first sprint race of the 2024 season, and all the fans and stakeholders look at this race as a way to boost the championship points for their respective franchises.
🟢 FP1 GREEN LIGHT 🟢
For the first time in five years, we can say…
The Chinese Grand Prix weekend is GO! 🙌#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/agnts6P4Xq
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 19, 2024
The action has already begun with Lance Stroll of Aston Martin topping the charts of the FP1 classification, along with Oscar Piastri of McLaren finishing second, outracing the legendary Max Verstappen from the Red Bull team. The Grand Prix has already set the tone with a lot of events yet to unfold, and the fans have gone crazy on this, leaving a lot of reactions and comments on the FP1 classification where the underdogs have taken over the best drivers of the season to top the charts.
Stroll leaves fans in “awe” as Aston Martin clutches top spot in FP1
Lance Stroll rises in the opening of the Chinese Grand Prix circuit and seals first place in the FP1 classification. In the last two instances of Formula 1, Stroll finished 6th and 12th at the Australian and Japanese Grand Prix, respectively. The fans lit up while watching Stroll pass Verstappen, getting an edge on the front, and finally taking the first spot in the FP1. None of the fans expected this move from the Aston Martin driver, and the return of the Chinese Grand Prix could be set to be a blessing in disguise for the drivers.
FP1 CLASSIFICATION
Stroll tops the only practice session of the weekend 👏
Next up 👉 #F1Sprint qualifying #F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/dvUe0oCg0s
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 19, 2024
Did they swap his car with Alonso’s?
— teevee (@tyson_d_v) April 19, 2024
Stroll is cooking Alonso😭
— Chelsea Bulls🇵🇭 (@CfcEnzooo) April 19, 2024
Stroll channelling his inner Racing Point 2020 skill
— theresa wayman ftw (@pablohoney19_93) April 19, 2024
The reaction of fans has gone viral, with a lot of sarcastic and inspirational comments coming along. One fan on Twitter said, “Am I going to watch it at work on my phone?” Another fan’s eye-catching comment was, “Did they swap his car with Alonso’s?” Fans have been brutal, and many of them are not ready to accept the fact that Stroll overtook Verstappen and Sergio Perez and left the internet with a lot of trolls to follow. But the Chinese Grand Prix has set the base, starting from the FP1 classification itself.
Lance Stroll taking first place in the FP1 marks a huge statement, as the results of Formula 1 are never predictable. He has set the tone for Aston Martin very high in this Grand Prix, and it will be a weekend to watch out for how the Grand Prix proceeds, keeping in mind the sprint races that are upcoming as well. Lance Stroll would like to keep up his momentum, gain maximum points for his franchise, and maybe set a new record for himself too.
Could the Chinese GP set the tone for Aston Martin and McLaren?
Aston Martin and McLaren, two of the underdogs in Formula 1, are not rising to their potential standards and are being outpaced by legends like Red Bull and Ferrari. But the FP1 of the Chinese Grand Prix has set to change the tone of these 2 teams as Lance Stroll from Aston Martin and Oscar Piastri of McLaren grabbed the first and second spots, respectively, in the FP1. This Grand Prix could be a game-changer for these two teams if they go strong, keeping the sprint race in mind as well.
Fans are seen to raise their eyebrows after the results of the FP1 and their reactions have been cheeky in commenting on the finish of the FP1. Fans have reacted crazily on Twitter where one of the fans said, “The moment have come Folks!” and the other one saying, “Never in my wildest dreams would have I thought we would see these 3 as the top 3 of an FP”.
It will be an exciting weekend to watch out for as to whether these two teams keep their momentum high or if Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will do wonders on the Chinese circuit, as he has never won a podium in Shanghai. The sprint race will keep the Formula 1 fans busy for the weekend, and it will be an exciting contest to watch out for. Fans are already erupting on social media, and they are in anticipation of what is yet to come from the Shanghai circuit.