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Formula 1: Who’s hot and who’s not heading into the 2018 Chinese Grand Prix

By Matthew Elich

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - APRIL 05: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on April 5, 2018 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - APRIL 05: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on April 5, 2018 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
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With two races down, the Formula 1 teams and drivers travel to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix. Who holds the competitive edge and who is falling behind?

Who’s hot

Sebastian Vettel: The German has continued his winning streak and has taken the top spot on the podium for both races this far into the season. Vettel’s SF71H now has the outright speed to match Mercedes and looks to be propelling him towards another world championship. As the Formula 1 track layouts differ, we will get a better perspective of the outright package that Ferrari and Vettel have this season.

Fernando Alonso: Regarded as one of the best drivers on-track, Alonso has been waiting for his opportunity to be in the fight for podiums again. McLaren Renault and the double-world champion have had a better start to the season, and with the latest restructuring in Woking, they seem to be upping their level of racing competition. Alonso currently holds down fourth place in the driver standings and is a consistent driver who is definitely in the running for top three finishes.

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Pierre Gasly: The Toro Rosso driver in his first full Formula 1 season put in a great performance at Bahrain. Gasly secured fourth place, while his teammate Brendon Hartley could only manage 17th. Even if the two Red Bulls and the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen had not retired, Gasly had a great drive on the Sakhir circuit and will be yet another driver to follow in China.

Lewis Hamilton: Hamilton, last year’s champion as well as the original favorite to take this year’s title, made a good comeback in Bahrain. He managed to limit the deficit in points to his main rival, Vettel, and showcase what a driver of his caliber is able to do in the Mercedes W09. He still has time to take the fight back to Ferrari and has already made up with Max Verstappen following their on-track clash and subsequent row.

Who’s not

Kimi Raikkonen: After making the Hot list last round, Raikkonen has fallen into the “Nots” after the failed pit stop in Bahrain that cost him his race and put one of his mechanics in hospital. Raikkonen’s actions after the accident when his car came to a halt have led to a backlash on social media. There has also been a great amount of speculation as to his replacement at Ferrari after this season, which may lead to further frustration for Raikkonen on the track and with the team.

Max Verstappen: Verstappen has shown that he has the potential, but after a sixth place finish in Australia that included some stumbles and an over-zealous attempt to pass Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain, the young driver has also shown his lack of foresight for the long-term points gain versus the short-term place gain.

Valtteri Bottas: With only a one-year contract extension at Mercedes that ends this year, Bottas is already running out of time to prove his sustained worth to the team. The Finn had a great opportunity to take the lead from Sebastian Vettel at the last race in Bahrain but has yet to put in the performance he needs to really shine in 2018.

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The Bahrain Grand Prix was an exciting race, and luckily we won’t have to wait long for the next. The showdown in Shanghai starts at 2:10 am ET on Sunday, April 15th. The third race of the 2018 Formula 1 season is the 14th installment of the Chinese Grand Prix.

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