The opening race of the 2025 season in Australia, which was marred by inclement weather, was clinched by Lando Norris after a hectic race.
The scenario is likely to be very different this weekend though. The Chinese Grand Prix will take place at Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday and with sunny weather predicted, the race should take place in far less chaotic circumstances.
Interestingly, China will host the first sprint weekend of the year. A sprint race allows teams to rack up points early in the season, and Pirelli have sweetened the pot by announcing that a new trophy will make its debut in China, going to whoever snatches pole position in Friday’s sprint qualifying.
Drivers will have only one practice session to tune the cars before the qualifiers for the 100km sprint race. The rookies will be thrown into the deep end as the Shanghai circuit is not only an enjoyably and competitive track but also has the potential for overtakes.
Here are the some other talking points looking ahead to the second race of the F1 calendar.
Red Bull a one-man team?
Red Bull can always count on the great Max Verstappen but they’ve struggled to find a second driver that can truly compete with him. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Sergio Perez all struggled to provide genuine competition, and it was hoped Liam Lawson’s ambition would see him to provide a stern test, eventually.
However, Lawson's debut F1 weekend for Red Bull was nothing short of a nightmare, culminating in a crash on Lap 47 of 57.
Knocked out in Q1 at Albert Park, a circuit he had never previously raced at, he started the race from the pit lane as Red Bull elected to change the car, including a higher downforce rear wing and a new beam wing that only served to slow him down, meaning Lawson struggled to move up the pack.
Unable to keep up with Verstappen’s pace in the first two practice sessions, critics wonder if Red Bull’s ruthless handling of drivers will see Lawson immediately put under pressure to maintain his seat.
“I think the one flash of light that he can take out of it is that, on the dry tyres, he actually posted the second fastest lap time of the grand prix, a 1:22.9,” said team chief Christian Horner, who acknowledged it was a tough weekend for the driver and that Red Bull's took a gamble that didn’t pay off.
The fact the second race of the calendar arrives so quickly offers Lawson hope for redemption even if, like Melbourne, Shanghai is a circuit he has never raced at before. With China hosting the first sprint event this season, Lawson might be heading into another tough weekend.
Can Isack Hadjar bounce back?
One of the enduring images of the first race of the season was that of a distraught Hadjar being consoled by Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony, as he lost control of his car on the exit of Turn 2 and crashed out on the formation lap.
The French-Algerian driver came into the race having enjoyed a fine performance in both the practice sessions and in qualifying. He only narrowly missed out on a Q3 spot.
The fastest rookie driver in both of his first two free practice sessions, he managed to outqualify the others to capture 11th place on the grid in Melbourne, highlighting his pace and that of the Racing Bulls with Yuki Tsunoda securing fifth place.
Hadjar admitted to feeling embarrassed after the crash. Helmut Marko, adviser to Red Bull, criticised his emotional response.
Anthony Hamilton disagreed, telling Sky Sports, “I think he’s a phenomenal driver, I really do. There’s more to come from Isack than we probably have seen this weekend.”
The driver looked a little nervous before his debut in Australia. Ensuring a positive mentality should help him get back on track in China.
Ferrari and their strategy calls
Lewis Hamilton had his worst finish at a season-opener on Sunday. Despite having briefly led, a poor Ferrari strategy call to stay out on slick tyres as a heavy late shower overwhelmed the track in Melbourne led to Hamilton dropping down the field.
Horner took a few pot shots at Ferrari after the Australian GP, wondering what took them so long to put on wet tyres when it was pouring with rain. “I think you've always got to react to very much what’s going on around you,” he teased.
To be fair, several other teams made the wrong strategy call in Australia, including Racing Bulls, but the consistency with which Ferrari make the wrong call begs the question as to whether they can genuinely compete for honours.
How interesting that former driver Carlos Sainz was behind Williams’ excellent strategy call that helped Alex Albon secure a fifth-place finish after a perfectly timed switch to intermediates, much to the pleasure of team principal James Vowles.
Hamilton was instead left to rue a missed opportunity. Speaking to his Ferrari team over the radio, he said: “I thought you said it wasn’t going to rain much? We just missed a big opportunity there."
In China, Ferrari have to show they can make the right decisions. Australia was only the first race of the season and while it seems old habits die hard, fans will hope Hamilton can leverage his experience to help improve their strategy decisions. Team principal Fred Vasseur noted that we did not get the real picture of the car’s performance in Australia. Only time will tell if Ferrari can be a real contender this season.
Watch out for Kimi Antonelli
Only 18, Antonelli is the youngest driver on the grid and the third youngest to have started an F1 race. Having taken over the seat vacated by seven-time world champion Hamilton, Antonelli was left disappointed when he only qualified in 16th place. To then storm up the grid to secure a P4 finish was impressive and the Italian is certainly living up to expectations.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “I think we always knew his potential since he was a kid. He performs under pressure.”
His calm demeanour and recovery drive suggests he can handle whatever the conditions throw up. While he admits he got lucky to overcome an early spin in Australia, he is one to watch in China where we will know if he has what it takes to ensure Mercedes can challenge this season.
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Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20profile
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Specs
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Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Kolkata Knight Riders 245/6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 214/8 (20 ovs)
Kolkata won by 31 runs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Napoleon
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Step by step
2070km to run
38 days
273,600 calories consumed
28kg of fruit
40kg of vegetables
45 pairs of running shoes
1 yoga matt
1 oxygen chamber
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Read more about the coronavirus
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Abramovich London
A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.
A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.
Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.
Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The years Ramadan fell in May
