2019 Formula 1 season, Round 3
Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai International Circuit
Sunday 14 April
Daniel Ricciardo and Renault will be hoping to win the midfield battle when the 2019 Formula 1 season continues with the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday 14 April.
Ricciardo, who made the most high-profile off-season move when he switched Red Bull for Renault, has thus far endured a tough 2019 season, failing to finish both in Australia and Bahrain.
However, the Australian won at the Shanghai International Circuit last year and will be hoping a return to China turns around his fortunes, as the French team aim to be the ‘best of the rest’ behind the top three of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Their main challenge for this appears to come from American team Haas, with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen showing glimpses of impressive pace thus far, though they have yet to fully capitalise on their potential.
The experienced Kimi Raikkonen has performed well in the Alfa Romeo thus far (eighth and seventh-placed finishes), while McLaren and youngster Lando Norris were impressive in taking sixth place at the Bahrain Grand Prix last month.
Yet it is Renault (assuming they have solved the reliability issues which hit both cars near the end of the last race) who should be leading the midfield battle, and the pressure will be on both Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg to up their game in Shanghai.
Formula 1 championship standings
Drivers – top three
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) – 44 points
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 43
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 27
You might also like: The greatest Formula One drivers of all time
Constructors – top three
Mercedes – 87 points
Ferrari – 48
Red Bull – 31
Chinese Grand Prix
First held: 2004
Most wins, driver: Lewis Hamilton, 5
Most wins, constructor: Mercedes, 5
Circuit length: 5.451 km
Race length: 305.066km
Laps: 56
Fastest lap: 1:32.283 – Michael Schumacher, 2004
Get ready to take your place on the podium. Bet on Formula 1 with Betway now
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.