Storylines for the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix

[Jericoke]

Without an F1 race since 2019, the track surface may be in question.  Also, the current F1 rules are much different, so previous knowledge of the track might not be relevant to the ground effects F1 cars.

It's our first sprint weekend of the year.  How will the new sprint rules unfold?  Will the unfamiliar track make the sprint difficult or interesting?

How will the Williams drivers adapt to knowing that a single mistake at any point might end their weekend as replacement car parts are scarce?

Is the pressure building on Daniel Ricciardo?

What does Sainz have to do to get a quality race seat for 2025?

Will Alpine continue to bring up the rear or are they going to move up the order?

Can Red Bull/Max Verstappen continue to dominate, or have other contenders closed the gap enough?

[Andy B]

A painted track? It seems to be a system used in China and the US so maybe it'll be okay although F1 stresses may find a fault?
I quite agree that Williams will be a little bit on the back foot till more spares arrive.
CS options are running out with just Mercedes and Red Bull the only top end options and I cannot see him at either.
Move over DR and let LL in as I'm sure its coming.

[John S]

Painted track - load of nonsense from ill informed hacks who have listened to drivers & teams who like to find faults at tracks to cover their own shortcomings. 

Plenty of roads in Britain have been refurbed with a cold slurry like asphalt surface treatment and I think this is what has been applied to Shanghai track. Main estate road where I live was done with this method 18 months ago and has not shown much if any wear although traffic levels quite high.

Weather seems to have been biggest influencer in Shanghai. 

[Jericoke]

okay, so the storyline I didn't anticipate was the track catching on fire?!

Grass at turn 5 during practice and qualifying caught fire from the sparks off the cars?  Has anyone seen that before?