Mercedes aims to dominate China again as F1's new era fails to impress some drivers -

Formula 1 is heading to China, where drivers and teams are adapting to a new style of racing that relies heavily on electric power.

Mercedes is aiming to gain the upper hand in China as it has yet to win the support of some drivers in the new era of F1.

Formula 1 is heading to China to celebrate a number of launches, although drivers are debating their importance.

Ahead of Saturday's Chinese Grand Prix and the first sprint race of the season, Max Verstappen said it was "jungle" as the teams adjusted to the new racing style.

Rather than clocking in on a top-of-the-line simulator, Verstappen joked that his practice is now focused on collecting Mario Kart speed-boosting mushrooms to suit F1's new reliance on increased electric power.

The first Ferrari 'Macarena'

George Russell is the driver to beat in Shanghai after his big win in Australia last week, Mercedes will once again finish 1-2 in China.

The only team to crash the party was Ferrari, who blew their chances with a pit strategy error.Russell's team-mate Kimi Antonelli's move from seventh to second showed how Mercedes could overtake the other teams despite a poor start.

All eyes will be on Ferrari in the first free practice as it uses a unique rear wing that rotates up and down for greater speed on the straights.

The so-called "flip-flop" or "Macarena" was briefly used in the test, is no longer used for Australia, and is a kind of innovation that can help Ferrari Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to fight Mercedes.It can also block airflow and block closely following cars.

Changes on the way

F1's governing body, the FIA, could review the race and make changes, possibly in time for the Japanese Grand Prix later this month.

One of the complaints so far has been the driver's lack of control over when and how much electrical power is used.

They can't stop the power used in normal straight driving. And it can only add more power. In Australia that means a car with an empty battery and a lack of traction at the start. "It's not very fun and it's very dangerous," Verstappen said on Thursday.

The related issues ended before the start in Australia for local hero Oscar Piastri, when the overdrive suddenly kicked out and sent him into the barrier before reaching the grid.

If F1 in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which currently remains on schedule despite the Iran war, cannot race next month, it will leave a five-week gap in the calendar that teams can use to refine any changes.

Zhou was a boost to Cadillac

There has been no Chinese driver since Zhou Guanyu left Sauber at the end of 2024, but he remains popular in his home country.As Cadillac's reserve driver, he could bring further mainstream recognition to the new team after a solid but unspectacular debut in Australia.