The first Sprint Race of the 2024 Formula 1 season will take place this weekend, just a day before the Chinese Grand Prix. There will be a new-look format to the weekend, with Sprint Qualifying taking place just hours before the race itself. But, which driver could come out on top in the shorter race on Saturday?
Schedule & How To Watch
- When: Saturday, April 20, 2024
- Where: Shanghai International Circuit
- How To Watch: ESPN
Before Betting On Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race
The Chinese Grand Prix makes its return to the Formula 1 schedule for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be an exciting weekend of racing in Asia, with the season’s first Sprint Race also being staged on Saturday. There will be a slightly new look to the format this year, with qualifying for the Sprint Race taking place on Friday, with the race itself being run before qualifying for the Grand Prix itself.
China will host one of six Sprint races this season, with the others taking place in Miami, Austin, Brazil, Qatar, and Austria later in the season. Unlike the Grand Prix, the Sprint will take place over a 100km dash, meaning that it shouldn’t last any longer than 30 minutes. The emphasis is very much on pace in the Sprint Race, as there is no requirement to make pit stops.
There were some shock results in the Sprints last year, with Oscar Piastri landing his first F1 victory in the final edition last year. However, Max Verstappen and Red Bull once again look challenging to oppose after making a very strong start to the new season.
However, the circuit this weekend could suit Ferrari, and they have already shown this term that they have the pace to worry their rivals. Weather conditions will be key for teams this weekend, as rainy conditions aren’t uncommon for the race, which could make for a thrilling dash to the line.
Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Offshore Odds & Pick
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | 1.29 |
| Charles Leclerc | 8.00 |
| Carlos Sainz | 8.00 |
| Sergio Perez | 12.00 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 41.00 |
| George Russell | 41.00 |
The Sprint should be a battle between Ferrari and Red Bull this weekend. We are prepared to take a chance on the former, meaning that we will be siding with Charles Leclerc to land victory in the first Sprint Race of 2024.
