F1 returned to China for the first time since 2019, with a sell-out crowd in attendance to watch home driver Zhou Guanyu race in Shanghai for the first time. Zhou was busy all weekend but he wasn’t the only one to get up to plenty off-track. Here is some of the best social media you might have missed…
This is Zhou’s third year in F1, but his first race at home. As well as a special streets of Shanghai helmet, he treated the crowd to an SQ3 appearance in Sprint Qualifying, and a ninth-placed finish in the Sprint itself.
It’s safe to say, the fans were in raptures every time he took to the track.
READ MORE: Zhou ‘proud and honoured’ to race in China but Bottas’ day ends in disappointment
The F1 drivers were shooting some hoops in the paddock but their skills weren’t quite a match for this man’s. Yao Ming is basketball royalty and for good reason – although compared to the somewhat slight F1 drivers, it was his height that was eye-catching in Shanghai.
He stayed to watch the race and cheer on Zhou – and was treated to a pretty busy afternoon of action.
Charles Leclerc welcomed a new family member before the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, a puppy called Leo. Whether Leo brought him good luck or not is up for debate, but the Monegasque certainly seemed happier on track and more content in his car.
READ MORE: FACTS AND STATS: Verstappen hits a hat trick of Sprint weekend doubles
Leclerc might not have bagged a trophy in China, but Leo is a pretty good consolation prize.
Sebastian Vettel (remember him?!) took Red Bull’s first-ever win at this track some 15 years ago, and my how time has flown since.
The Bulls have barely stopped winning of late, but still took time to remember their first.
