2024 Chinese Grand Prix Predictions: Pandas and Sprints and Zhou, Oh My!
Channel: Going Off Track With Kathryn & Emily
Date: 18/04/2024

For the first time in 5 years, Formula 1 is racing in Shanghai!

In this episode, Kathryn and Emily discussed
-Fernando Alonso’s contract extension with Aston Martin, leading to his future as an advisor a la Niki Lauda with Mercedes
-Our thoughts on the 2025 F1 calendar, which puts the Australian GP back where it belongs
-Rumors about the F1 teams seeking to limit the grid to 10 teams in the upcoming Concorde agreement for 2026-30
-The Chinese GP special helmets, including the one we things is in the running for Helmet Of The Year

We also take a look back at the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix, the 1000th race in F1, including the rookie class, who was on the grid, and who isn’t on the grid anymore. And also: what Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon did off grid that season.

We also discuss our lack of faith in the 2024 sprint format (seriously, why do the drivers need to qualify TWICE in one weekend?) and also make our predictions, which are probably going to be completely and totally wrong by the time we get to the end of the weekend.

Episodes We Referenced:
That Time Lewis Hamilton Woke Up And Chose Violence (Winter Break News Roundup No. 3): https://youtu.be/NyZktO4qiOI?si=yMx8_S1liHriYTrD
From Our DMs No. 1: Is Max Verstappen & Red Bull’s Dominance Damaging Formula 1?: https://youtu.be/fXrPPjOFvSk?si=sEfMco58ahdZwWUw
F101: A Deep Dive Into F1's Young Driver Programs (Because Fernando Alonso Can't Drive Forever): https://youtu.be/u4UEJsBSapk?si=QjWu2UiQcbb_rKXC

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0:00 Intro
2:47 Fernando’s Staying With Aston Martin For Life?
6:17 What Does This Mean For Carlos Sainz & The Rest Of The F1 Grid?
8:13 The 2025 Calendar Puts Australia Back Where It Belongs
11:54 Which Tracks Should Have Sprints? 
14:17 Wait, We Have Issues With The Sprint Format?
16:17 Are F1 Teams Going To Limit The Number Of Teams Allowed On The Grid?
22:17 Chinese GP Special Helmets
26:37 A Look Back To China 2019
31:40 We Complain About The Sprints (Again)
35:22 Our Chinese GP Predictions Kinda Suck
43:47 Our Biggest Surprises
49:23 Who’s Going To Do A Dumb?
53:57 Final Thoughts
54:58 Kathryn’s F1 Fun Fact/Outro