Top 5 talking points as F1 returns to Shanghai after five years hiatus

After a long five-year break Formula 1 is set to make a comeback to Shanghai. The Chinese GP is less than a week away and ahead of this, let us discuss the top 5 talking points that will take centre stage in Shanghai.

After a thrilling competition at the Suzuka, there have been a lot of off-field developments. From the drivers market to the schedule announcement of the 2025 season there have been a lot of things.

Let us delve into the top five talking points before the Shanghai GP:

5. Saturday Races and Sprints: What to Expect in the 2025 F1 Season

Days after the Japan GP, FIA held a meeting to finalize the schedule of the 2025 F1 season. Australia will host the opening race of the season as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GP and will take place in the latter half of the season. This decision has been taken after considering the month of Ramadan.

Japan GP, China GP and others will take place subsequently. Notably, the upcoming season will have two Saturday races and around half a dozen Sprint races. However, more details about the schedule have been published already. 

4. Ferrari's Aero Upgrade: Challenging Red Bull's Dominance

In the Japanese GP Red Bull had a great day as they clinched both first and second position. However, the gap between Max Verstappen and other drivers has been narrowed down suggesting that upcoming race weeks might surprise fans.

Additionally, the Ferrari team principal has ordered his team to make some modifications to their car. The team is looking to use the Aerodynamics in their way to beat Newey’s RB20 in the air. This modified car will replace the current pack at Italy GP later this year.  

3. Hamilton's Japanese GP Woes: Mercedes' Struggle Continues

Another constructor i.e. Mercedes is facing a lot of problems. With Lewis Hamilton set to make a move to Ferrari next year team has failed to tackle their struggles. In the Japanese GP Hamilton failed to dominate the race again as he finished ninth. It’s worth noting that he has been phenomenal in qualifying races.

Another driver George Russell has been struggling too despite finishing seventh in the race he didn’t look comfortable at all. Notably, team principal  Toto Wolff has admitted that the team is going through a rebuilding phase and it will take some time to make a comeback. On the other hand, Hamilton is looking for a podium finish before his move to Ferrari.

2. New Faces, Familiar Tracks: Shanghai Welcomes F1

It's almost unbelievable that five whole years have passed since Formula 1 last raced in China. Since then, Lewis Hamilton has clinched his sixth and seventh world titles, followed by a three-year streak for Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Racing Point transformed into Aston Martin, Renault became Alpine, and Alfa Romeo morphed into Kick Sauber (soon to be Audi). Toro Rosso became AlphaTauri and then RB. Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel retired, while Fernando Alonso made a comeback from retirement.

Among the current grid, four drivers have never competed in Shanghai, including Oscar Piastri, Yuki Tsunoda, and Logan Sargeant. This upcoming race marks a special moment for Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver in Formula 1, who's been waiting since his debut in 2022 for a chance to race at his home track. He'll finally have that opportunity this weekend in front of a packed crowd at the Shanghai International Circuit.

1. Fernando Alonso Extends Aston Martin Contract

The biggest talking point since Japan GP is Fernando Alonso. The 42-year-old man is set for another two seasons with Aston Martin. The driver penned a staggering deal with a Silverstone-based franchise to continue his F1 stint.

He will be with the team till the 2026 season meaning the first season with Aston’s collaboration with Honda will be under Alonso. The man in green is looking to get his team back in the top constructors list as he feels his team is progressing with each race.