F1 rolls into Shanghai for the third race of the season, and with two compelling races already in the books, there is plenty of intrigue and excitement.

Add in the fact it is a landmark weekend for the sport, as the China Grand Prix will be the 1,000th Formula One race, there will no doubt be plenty of fireworks in store.

Australia was a disappointment for Ferrari due to performance, which they had seemed to turn around in Bahrain only for reliability to thwart Charles Leclerc while leading.

Mercedes have benefited both times finishing first and second with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton earning victories.

A weekend of drama awaits in China if practice is anything to go by.

The first two sessions have been dominated by Ferrari and Mercedes, with Sebastian Vettel leading Hamilton in the first session, while Bottas topped all competitors in the second.

Further down the pack the Red Bull of Max Verstappen was hot on the tails of the leaders, outperforming teammate Pierre Gasly, who was a second behind the leaders.

Lando Norris maintained his good start to the season finishing 9th in practice two, while the Williams continue their torrid form, finishing last in both sessions.

GIVEMEBET takes a look at the weekend ahead:

  • It seems clear from Bahrain and early showings in Shanghai that Ferrari have addressed performance issues suffered in Melbourne. Leclerc ignored team orders not to overtake Vettel last time out and team boss Mattia Binotto has doubled down on the teams stance that the German is the team leader and will be given priority in 50-50 scenarios, potentially race deciding circumstances. Vettel to win the China GP is 5/4.
  • Last year’s race was filled with action. It was going so well at the start for pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel until Max Verstappen ran into the German causing the pair to spin off the track. The Red Bulls were strong, and after Verstappen’s penalty, it was teammate Daniel Ricciardo who took the checkered flag despite starting in 6th place. This was an unusual occurrence and the first time since 2013 where the car on pole did not win the race. The odds of the pole-sitter winning the race is 20/33.
  • The focus may be center on the battle between Ferrari and Constructors' Championships leading Mercedes, but Max Verstappen is in his usual lurking place, finishing 3rd and 4th in the first two practice sessions, only a couple of tenths down on the cars ahead of him. You can never count out the Dutchman, who made the podium in Australia and was close to pinching 3rd from Leclerc in Bahrain. Max Verstappen to make the podium is 27/20.

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