F1 Chinese GP: Bottas on pole, qualifying reactions, 1,000th race start time, predictions, betting odds, TV guide

The F1 Chinese Grand Prix is held at the Shanghai International Circuit

(Image credit: Lars Baron/Getty Images)

By The Week Staff

last updated 13 April 2019

2019 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix

What: race No.3 on the F1 2019 calendar
When: 12-14 April
Where: Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China
Race start time: 7.10am on Sunday 14 April
TV channels: live on Sky Sports F1 and highlights on Channel 4

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Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, starting second: “I didn’t give up, I kept pushing. Valtteri has been stellar all weekend. I’ve been fighting the car but I’m much happier. It was eight tenths at one stage so to be as close as we are at the end is fantastic. It’s an incredible result for the team. Ferrari are particularly quick on the straights. It’s evident this weekend we’ve gained some performance through the corners.”

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, starting third: “Right from Q1 Mercedes seemed to start from a better place. I think we had a good session, maybe there was a little bit more. I was actually quite happy I managed the final attempt because it was quite marginal on time. I think there was maybe a little bit more but not enough to beat these guys today. They are bloody quick in the corners. When we get close we have an advantage on the straight line so maybe we can do something there.”

Joe Krishnan, London Evening Standard - Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “It’s impressive how the youngster has settled so quickly into life at Ferrari considering his tender age and the fact it’s only his second season in the sport. But the manner in which he dominated the whole race weekend in Bahrain would have certainly wowed the bosses at Maranello while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel continues to struggle for consistent pace. For now, the Scuderia may be best placed in backing the 21-year-old while he’s quickest and with the fastest car in a straight line, they have to get their strategy bang on in Shanghai. After the car let Leclerc down just ten laps from victory in Sakhir, there’s no reason why Ferrari should deny their prodigy a maiden win at the third attempt.”

Anish Vishwakoti, Sportskeeda - Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “With the new talent of Leclerc arriving in F1 as we reach this huge milestone of 1,000 race, while I see the old guard of Hamilton taking pole on Saturday, I feel that in China he [Leclerc] will finally get his first win after a fantastic drive. While it may not be a passing of the torch, it will be the spark that lights Leclerc’s possible patch to real world championship contention.”

Matthew Atkinson, The Stats Zone - Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “The 1,000th grand prix looks set to be a close fight between Mercedes and Ferrari. The Shanghai International Circuit is dominated by the pit straight, one of the longest on the F1 calendar, this should play to Ferrari’s power advantage in a straight line. However, there are many overtaking opportunities, especially into the never-ending turn one, which Hamilton will exploit. Sebastian Vettel will be keen to answer his critics and Charles Leclerc will be intending to put the torment of Bahrain behind him with another commanding performance. The youngster could well seal his first F1 victory this weekend. He has the motivation, pace and controlled aggression.”

5.30am: Pit Lane live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event)
6.30am: Chinese GP On The Grid live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event)
7.10am: F1 Chinese Grand Prix live (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event)
9am: Chinese GP paddock live (simulcast on Sky One)
10am: Chinese GP: The Notebook live
10.30am: Chinese GP full race replay (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event)
1.35pm: Chinese GP full race replay

Nico Hülkenberg, Renault: “China is a busier one away from track as Formula 1 continues to grow in popularity there. It’s the 1,000th Formula 1 grand prix and that’s quite special to be a part in. The fans are usually very excited in Shanghai, which is awesome to see and makes it even more important for us to put on a show. Renault is a big market in China and there will be a lot of activities going on to harness that.”

Romain Grosjean, Haas: “It’s great. I’ve been following Formula 1 for a long time – not since the 50s, obviously – but I’ve been in love with the sport since the early 90s. Reaching 1,000 races for Formula 1 is very impressive. When they started, I’m sure they didn’t think it would come this far. It’s pretty impressive. It’s going to be a great grand prix in China. I’m looking forward to the event and, hopefully, some good luck.”

Sergio Perez, Racing Point: “As it’s the 1,000th race, I’ve been thinking about some of the races I remember watching when I was younger. The first race I attended as a fan was Indianapolis in 2002 when I was 12 years old. It was the prize after winning a karting race in Miami organised by Juan Pablo Montoya. As a driver, the most memorable F1 race for me was probably Malaysia 2012. It was my second year in F1 and I finished on the podium in second place after a fantastic battle with Fernando Alonso.”

George Russell, Williams: “I am really looking forward to China as it is a circuit I have never raced at before. It is always a great experience driving on a new track. It is the 1,000th grand prix for Formula 1 so it is great to be one of the 20 drivers that are a part of that. There is so much history in the sport and this will be a historic race, so I am extremely proud to be lining up on the grid in Shanghai.”

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