2019 Formula 1 season, Round 3
Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai International Circuit
Sunday 14 April
Lewis Hamilton will look to claim the lead of the 2019 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship when Round 3 of the 2019 season is held at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday 14 April.
Hamilton is currently placed second on the drivers’ standings, just one points adrift of leader and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
However, the five-time world champion has the momentum behind him after he claimed a somewhat fortuitous victory in Round 2 in Bahrain, capitalising on a technical issue for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the final stage of the race.
Hamilton and Mercedes have also been the dominance forces in Shanghai in recent years. Former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo may have claimed the victory last year, but Hamilton has the most Chinese Grand Prix victories as a driver (five) and the ‘Silver Arrows’ also top the constructors’ honours list (five wins).
Aside from his Mercedes teammate, Hamilton’s biggest threat this weekend may come from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who is placed third in the drivers’ standings and seems to be driving with renewed maturity and consistency.
The Ferraris of Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel will also hope to upset Mercedes, though the famous red-liveried cars must ensure they can go the full race distance to truly challenge at the front of the grid.
Formula 1 championship standings
Drivers – top three
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) – 44 points
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 43
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 27
Constructors – top three
Mercedes – 87 points
Ferrari – 48
Red Bull – 31
Chinese Grand Prix
First held: 2004
Most wins, driver: Lewis Hamilton, 5
Most wins, constructor: Mercedes, 5
Circuit length: 5.451 km
Race length: 305.066km
Laps: 56
Fastest lap: 1:32.283 – Michael Schumacher, 2004
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