Hamilton’s F1 title meltdown and Ricciardo masterclass: Top Chinese Grand Prix moments

From Lewis Hamilton’s title disaster to Daniel Ricciardo’s overtaking masterclass, there are plenty of reasons to look forward to the Chinese Grand Prix.

Hosted at the Shanghai International Circuit since 2004, the race has been absent from the F1 calendar since the Covid-19 pandemic.

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However, China returns for 2024 with the first sprint race of the season, and offers an intriguing proposition for F1 fans .

The sprint format means limited running for drivers who have never tackled this circuit before, and it is unknown how this generation of cars will respond to the track.

Moreover, the Chinese GP has provided entertainment across the years, from changeable weather conditions, to pit stop drama and spectacular overtakes.

We revisited some of the top moments in Shanghai, revealing why it is one of the best race weekends on F1’s calendar.

Red Bull’s first F1 win (2009)

Believe it or not there was a time when Red Bull were yet to achieve a victory in F1. However, this was rectified in 2009, when Sebastian Vettel achieved the team’s first win at the Chinese GP.

After securing pole position Vettel had to contend with a wet and windy race that started behind the safety car.

He dominated the race which resulted in a 1-2 for Red Bull with team-mate Mark Webber finishing in second.

China was a sign of things to come for Vettel and the team; he would achieve all four of his world titles and 38 race wins with Red Bull.

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Ricciardo’s overtaking masterclass (2018)

Daniel Ricciardo’s current form may appear a shadow of his former self, but the 2018 Chinese GP indicates why the driver was so highly revered.

After a safety car, the two Red Bulls pitted for fresh tyres whilst their rivals, Mercedes and Ferrari, stayed out.

The fresh mediums, coupled with Ricciardo's late braking manoeuvres, provided fans with an overtaking masterclass as he stormed to victory.

Alternatively, his team-mate Max Verstappen still had a lot to learn in F1, causing collisions with Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

His mistakes potentially cost him a race victory, which Ricciardo’s maturity allowed him to achieve.

Schumacher/Albers pre-race crash (2005)

Despite Michael Schumacher’s legendary status he has had a few strange incidents in F1, including a crash on the warm up lap of the 2005 Chinese GP.

The seven-time world champion was moving slowly when he pulled into the path of Minardi driver Christijan Albers, who was approaching at a high-speed.

A dangerous crash ensued, which left both cars damaged, and Schumacher was given a reprimand.

Both cars were miraculously fixed in time for the race where they started in the pit lane, a feat that some F1 teams would struggle to achieve today.

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Vettel’s cheeky pit lane overtake (2016)

At the Chinese GP in 2016 Sebastian Vettel pulled off an unusual overtake off track.

After a safety car was deployed the drivers raced to the pits, where Vettel was beaten by two other drivers.

However, Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz in front of him were too slow, prompting Vettel to speed past them at the pit entry.

It was a bold move that rewarded him with new tyres, and allowed him to climb through the field to achieve second place behind Rosberg.

Buemi’s rogue wheels (2010)

A spectacular incident shocked audiences at the Chinese GP in 2010, when Sebastian Buemi’s wheels flew off in practice.

The Toro Rosso driver lost both of his wheels under braking heading into Turn 14, which sent him into the wall.

Whilst the incident seemed random, it was caused by a front right upright failure, a new design for the weekend that unfortunately caused more issues than solved them.

Schumacher’s final victory (2006)

The significance of the 2006 Chinese GP has been heightened, as the last race won by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

It was his 91st victory, and an important one in keeping his title battle with Fernando Alonso alive.

After 11 laps, the Spanish driver was 22.7 seconds clear of Schumacher in the lead, but changeable conditions and a poor pit stop for Alonso brought Schumacher back into contention.

Once Alonso was on fresh tyres, he managed to tear through the field and edge closer to Schumacher, but ultimately the German claimed the race victory.

Schumacher would just miss out on a final world title in 2006, which would in the end go to Alonso.

However, in his final race victory he demonstrated his skill, mastery of wet weather conditions and proved why he is one of the greatest.

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Hamilton’s title meltdown (2007)

If you ever needed proof of Hamilton’s natural ability, look no further than his rookie season.

Hamilton, who was racing with McLaren, entered the 2007 Chinese GP with a 12 point championship lead, which evaporated over the course of one race.

McLaren were embroiled in scandal after the FIA’s case against them for alleged industrial espionage, where an employee, Mike Coughlan, received stolen information on their rival Ferrari’s car.

What has now come to be known as ‘Spygate’ almost destroyed McLaren, depriving the team of all their constructors’ championship points.

However, the drivers’ points remained and all Hamilton had to do was win the race in China to clinch the title.

Hamilton qualified on pole and led most of the race, but was left out on worn tyres with rain on the way.

When he was finally called into the pits, the tyres gave way and he hurtled into the gravel, forcing him to retire.

As a result the race, and the 2007 world championship were lost, an event that Hamilton claims “still makes me sick to this day”.

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