Mercedes boss Toto Wolff expects 'interesting weekend' at Chinese F1 Grand Prix

Stringent COVID regulations in China prevented F1 from visiting the Jiading District for four consecutive seasons. 

However, the Chinese GP is back on the 2024 calendar, marking Sauber star Zhou Guanyu's debut on home turf. Nevertheless, significant transformations have unfolded since Lewis Hamilton's victory in 2019.

Hamilton stands as the most successful driver at the Chinese GP, boasting six career triumphs in Shanghai. 

Of these, four wins were achieved with Mercedes, solidifying the Silver Arrows' status as the most victorious F1 team at the Chinese GP with six victories of their own.

Mercedes' dominance at the Chinese GP has been notable since Nico Rosberg's breakthrough win in 2012, marking the team's first victory since their F1 return in 2010. 

Subsequent wins include Rosberg's 2016 triumph and Hamilton's victories in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019.

Wolff identifies four key factors contributing to the anticipated challenge for Mercedes at the Chinese GP. Firstly, the time gap between the upcoming race and the 2019 edition has allowed for track changes.

"We are looking forward to racing in Shanghai for the first time in five years and bringing F1 back to the Chinese fans," Wolff noted, via the Mirror. 

"With a sell-out crowd expected, I am sure it will be a fantastic event.

"It will be an interesting weekend on track. With new cars, new tyres and changes to the track surface since we last raced in China, there will be plenty of unknowns. 

"We have the first Sprint weekend of the year, too, and that brings its own challenges." 

Additionally, F1 races under altered technical regulations, while Pirelli supplies different tyres compared to 2019. Notably, the introduction of the F1 Sprint and revised weekend format add further complexity to the competition.