F1 2026 - Round 2 - China - Shanghai 🇨🇳

TheRona · 15-03-2026 09:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313646#Comment_124313646

I've been watching onboards, and the super clipping doesn't seem anything like what was happening in Aussie. The top speed seems to level out, but it doesn't seem to drop in the same way it was at Melbourne.

ctrl-alt-delete · 15-03-2026 09:20AM

Max having to retire the car.

Andrew76 · 15-03-2026 09:20AM

Ah feck sake. ☹️

Paddy_Mag · 15-03-2026 09:30AM

Pity max didnt park it to bring out a SC

Andrew76 · 15-03-2026 09:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313716#Comment_124313716

They’ve made some improvements alright. The move away from ground effect, smaller cars, smaller wheels and active aero looks to have produced more twitchy and raceable cars. That’s good. But I just can’t warm to the increased dependency on electric (was never a fan of hybrid either) and what that has meant to corner speeds and overtaking. Anyway, I love this sport so will keep watching for sure.

Cookie_Monster · 15-03-2026 09:36AM

everyone below 8th lapped and 3rd almost 20s down. Not as farcical as Aussie but not much better

Andrew76 · 15-03-2026 09:40AM

Delighted for Kimi, handled the pressure brilliantly. Well done Lewis too, I didn’t think he’d stay ahead of Leclerc even if it is a bogey track for the latter. Disappointed for Max, awful start, got up to 6th and then retires.

Paddy_Mag · 15-03-2026 09:44AM

Croft and Ant making the podium all about hamilton

Andrew76 · 15-03-2026 09:46AM

Ah Kimi, fair play kid, let the tears flow son. Massive achievement.

PsychoPete · 15-03-2026 09:52AM

A bit of a wobble towards the end but great drive from Antonelli, hopefully he pushes on from here

sekond · 15-03-2026 09:52AM

I really enjoyed that. We're a Red Bull/Racing Bulls family mostly, but we've a soft spot for Kimi (and Lewis after last year's horrible season) so it made up a bit for Max retiring.

swiwi_ · 15-03-2026 09:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124310919#Comment_124310919

how’s that prediction working out for you buddy? Don’t think Antonelli’s going anywhere

most impressive driver might be bearman. That’s two very solid races with a car that can’t match the Mercedes and Ferrari

flazio · 15-03-2026 10:14AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313782#Comment_124313782

3 Q3 appearances, points in every round. Ollie Bearman is well ahead in the "Best of the rest" standings. IMO Favourite for a Ferrari seat at the moment if one becomes available.

Forza_Monza · 15-03-2026 11:01AM

Ocon will be bang in trouble this season. Getting completely demolished by his teammate who is only in his second season.

If I was a betting man I would say its Ocons last season in F1

Forza_Monza · 15-03-2026 11:07AM

Feel bad for Piastri. . Would be nice to see how he performs over a full race distance.

Schwiiing · 15-03-2026 11:16AM

I can't be the only person with a pathological hatred of Ted Kravitz.

Wanderer78 · 15-03-2026 11:52AM

what happened max's car?

Jordan 199 · 15-03-2026 12:07PM

Double points finish for Alpine - lovely. The switch to Mercedes power is paying off.

Gamb!t · 15-03-2026 12:25PM

The leclerc Hamilton duel was a good watch.

Merc looks very strong.

Appletart Upsetter · 15-03-2026 01:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313782#Comment_124313782

What prediction "buddy"?

He sharpened up, won the race, the future is looking brighter. His problem is there is a 4 time world champion who's out of contract next season and the team principal seems determined to sign him. Antonelli is out of contract at the end of this season as it stands so there is pressure on him to perform. But if he keeps going like this, he'll be fine.

dulpit · 15-03-2026 01:03PM

Some observations: that was a fun watch. Very entertaining battles, even if there wasn't one for first. If the Mercedes is miles ahead all year long, at least we might get a battle between those 2 (I'd love Antonelli to smash Russell, here's hoping).

I'm by no means a Hamilton fan, but the sport is better if he's competing well. It's a pity the red bull has started poorly, having Verstappen involved too would be better.

Disaster from McLaren, I predicted that Lando would have the worst championship defence since Damon Hill in 1997 and I think that'll be the case (ie he'll finish outside top 5).

Eberybody still struggling to properly explain and make visual the electrical component of the new formula. F1 need to work on this themselves with more consistent graphics I reckon.

sk8board · 15-03-2026 01:17PM

Bearman and Gasly quietly having worldy starts to the season.

One thing about these new cars seems to be that if you get caught in a battle with the car behind, you drop like a rock from the car in front, as you’re having to deploy energy on turns that you wouldn’t do if you were driving a fast clean lap.

That means you need to get past cars in front asap if you’re to make progress.

Antonelli opened a pretty huge 7s gap to the Ferraris and Russell in a couple of laps after the SC restart without having to do anything really. He was lapping 1-2s faster

swiwi_ · 15-03-2026 02:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124314074#Comment_124314074

In his rookie season he was fine. This season he’s finished 2 then 1 so far. There are other drivers under more pressure for their place than him. He’d be snapped up by another team if Mercedes wanted to replace him with Verstappen.

This is it · 15-03-2026 02:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124314100#Comment_124314100

I thinkthats's natural when cars are battling, that they lose time. I don't think it's different this year compared to others?

Appletart Upsetter · 15-03-2026 02:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124314256#Comment_124314256

I've no doubt whatsoever that he'd be snapped by another team if Verstappen replaced him.

I think he's going to be a world champion at some point, he's got a very high level. I really like him too, he seems very genuine and humble. A stark contrast to his teammate who drives me nuts.

Wanderer78 · 15-03-2026 02:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124314268#Comment_124314268

poor mr. saturday!

Jacovs · 15-03-2026 04:04PM

Antonelli's first race win podium and the announcer introduces him as Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton and Russell breaking their bollox, Antonelli like wtf.

Wanderer78 · 15-03-2026 04:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124314454#Comment_124314454

he fcuking wishes hes raikkonen!

Jaffa3000 · 15-03-2026 06:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124314014#Comment_124314014

It was a terrible watch, devoid of any actual racing and purely down to batteries

Jaffa3000 · 15-03-2026 06:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124314075#Comment_124314075

Norris should probably finish in fifth if McLaren can be reliable. It’s hardly a poor defence either given that it’s not down to him but the car. Vettel defended his last championship with a fifth place finish in 2014 (also when new regs came in).

F1 2026 - Round 2 - China - Shanghai 🇨🇳

Comments