Following the exhilarating conclusion of the 2025 Formula One season in Australia last weekend, the team swiftly transitions to Shanghai, marking the inaugural sprint race of the 2025 calendar.
**Lost Luggage**
Amidst the excitement of Australia, a notable incident has emerged involving several teams and Pirelli. Due to a freight delay from the first round, the teams and tyre suppliers have been left with minimal unpacking material. Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, and Pirelli are among those awaiting the arrival of their freight. Fortunately, the freight has now been delivered, and the unpacking process is underway. The FIA has announced the lifting of the track curfew, which restricts work at the circuit, to facilitate the teams’ progress before potentially impacting the weekend’s schedule.
**Fresh Tarmac**
A significant factor that will influence the teams’ strategies this weekend is the resurfaced track in Shanghai. The entire track has undergone resurfacing, resulting in enhanced smoothness. However, with only a 60-minute free practice session before sprint qualifying, the teams face uncertainty regarding their track preparations. The track has confirmed that this is the sole major modification for the teams. The support races and the inclusion of a sprint race are anticipated to provide the teams with additional time to optimise their setups. Notably, Parc Ferme remains unchanged from last year, allowing the teams to make adjustments after sprint qualifying and the sprint race before the main qualifying session and the race. This arrangement will enable the teams to gather valuable data, particularly given the limited time available for track familiarisation.
**Flexi Wings**
The recent resurgence of corner flexing concerns in testing, originating in Baku last year, has now gained significant attention. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced stricter regulations on rear wing corner flexing, effective this weekend in China.
While the cars in Australia were deemed legal and compliant with regulations, the FIA requested HD cameras and target points during free practice to investigate the track-side flexing. The FIA’s dissatisfaction is evident, as the announcement was followed by the implementation of tighter static load tests in Australia.
These tests are distinct from the anticipated front-wing modifications scheduled for Spain later this season. The proposed changes reduce the permitted tolerance for corner flexing under a 75kg load from 2mm to 0.5mm, with an immediate 2.5mm tolerance allowance for teams due to the lateness of the introduction. This effectively reduces the flexing limit from 2mm to 0.75mm for this weekend before it drops to 0.50mm for Japan onwards.
The teams most likely to be affected by these changes are McLaren. Examination of the rear wings used in Australia suggests that Ferrari, Mercedes, and Sauber may also be concerned. However, it remains uncertain whether these measures will narrow the performance gap between teams, as the FIA’s intention is clear.
**Ferrari**
The primary concern is the disappearance of Ferrari’s pace in Melbourne. The strategy was flawed, with the team’s execution of the plan lacking. However, it was evident before this event that neither driver possessed the necessary speed. Initial reports suggested that the medium-downforce front wing, intended to enhance performance in wet conditions despite its lower qualifying speed, was the cause. However, recent information indicates that this may be a correlation issue. The Italian media has reported that the race setup identified in the simulator was incorrect, necessitating a change. The reason for the change is attributed to the incorrect setup, which resulted in an excessively low suspension ride height. This compromised the cars’ performance during Friday practice, as they risked excessive wear on the plank if the setup was retained. Consequently, the team opted for a safer approach by raising the ride height, resulting in a loss of performance and further exacerbating their challenges. It is anticipated that Scuderia Ferrari will exhibit a significant improvement this weekend.
**Pace**
One aspect that remains undiscovered is the precise pace of the cars. Given the rain’s role as an equaliser, we are still awaiting the team that has mastered the off-season. The early indications suggest that the top four teams—McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes—will be vying for the championship positions at the end of the grid. McLaren appears poised to replicate their performance last year, possessing the most competitive car.
However, the midfield is a highly competitive battleground. Williams has emerged from testing and the Australian Grand Prix as a team that has made a significant improvement in its car. VCARB has also demonstrated progress, while Sauber and Alpine are also showing signs of advancement. The jury is still uncertain about Aston Martin and Haas, who appeared significantly slower than the other teams during the weekend.
With dry running forecasted and the sprint races scheduled, the expectation is that China will provide an early indication of the teams’ strengths. Teams must balance their 2025 development with the impending 2026 regulations and the substantial changes that will be implemented.
After this weekend, we will likely gain a clearer understanding of which teams have a promising season ahead of them.
