2019 Chinese Grand Prix

Championship standings

Bottas leads Hamilton by one point heading into Shanghai. Mercedes holds a 39-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’.

Previous race

At Bahrain, Leclerc had led by around 10 seconds before an engine cylinder failed, handing Hamilton the lead. Bottas passed a stricken Leclerc with a few laps remaining, and the two Renaults of Hülkenberg and Ricciardo then retired with mechanical failures — bringing out a safety car that held the field to the end. Hamilton won, Bottas was second, and Leclerc held on for third: the first Formula One podium for a Monégasque driver since Louis Chiron at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix.

Milestones

This race is the 1000th World Championship Grand Prix in Formula One history, counting from the first at Silverstone in 1950.

Practice

Vettel was fastest in FP1, Bottas led FP2 and FP3. The third session was cut short when Albon lost control of his Toro Rosso at the exit of the final corner, hitting the wall rear-first with an impact measured at 49g. Albon did not take part in qualifying due to the damage and started from the pit lane.