F1 returns to the Shanghai International circuit this weekend for the first time in 5 years, after multiple cancellations to the grand prix due to COVID-19 restrictions.

And for the 2024 season it is our first look at the new sprint race weekend structure, with actual qualifying for the grand prix taking place after the Sprint entirely. And contrary to the title of the blog post this is actually a sensible decision. F1’s first for a very long time.

But what isn’t sensible is the fact that this being held at a track that this new generation of F1 cars hasn’t been to. In fact to put how long ago it has been since we have been at this circuit, Fernando Alonso was retired, Kimi Raikonnen and Sebastian Vettel were still racing and Max Verstappen had not yet got a pole position in Formula One.

This weekend has all the marks of being a disaster. Whether than being a complete borefest, or a dangerous weekend where cars are not optimised to keep drivers from going into the wall.

Either way we will just have to enjoy the ride and see if this event is a success for F1 as it used to be 5 years ago.