F1 in China: packed grandstands and Antonelli's debut win

Formula 1 returned to Shanghai a week after the season opener in Australia, and most teams had a better handle on the new cars. The traditional, Tilke‑designed track played to the strengths of the hybrid power units, with enough hard braking to recharge batteries without sapping engine power.

That left a clearer pecking order: some daylight between the top three teams and a close fight through the midfield, but persistent reliability problems — four cars failed to start and seven of 22 were not classified. The grandstands were notably full this year, including a rebuilt concrete stand that had been closed for almost 20 years.

Lewis Hamilton called it the biggest crowd he’d seen in Shanghai after the drivers’ parade reached turns 11 and 12, and general admission banks were packed as well. The sellout helps explain recent interest from Chinese automakers linked to the sport.

China, Shanghai

formula 1, shanghai, antonelli, debut win, grandstands, hybrid power, tilke, reliability problems, lewis hamilton, chinese automakers