F1 Chinese Grand Prix betting preview, tips & TV details

Sky Sports F1, 7.10am Sunday

Valtteri Bottas pipped his world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton to pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix to create the second all-Mercedes front row of the young season.

It was even closer between the Ferrari drivers with Sebastian Vettel edging out impressive youngster Charles Leclerc for third, while Red Bull new boy Pierre Gasly finally secured a top-six starting berth, albeit some way off teammate Max Verstappen's pace.

Top tip
Valtteri Bottas 6-4

The driver starting from pole position has failed to win either of the first two races of the season but it's worth backing that run to end in China.

We're seeing a different Bottas this year and there was no fluke about his Shanghai pole position. The Finn has been right on the pace all weekend and Friday's race simulation runs suggest he holds an advantage on heavy fuel as well as over one lap.

Hamilton has not been happy with the handling of his Mercedes this week and while it's not a great surprise a driver of his calibre was able to work through that in qualifying, coping over a race distance will be a different challenge.

Bottas has made better race starts than Hamilton in both of the first two races, so the world championship leader could find himself able to control the race from the front.

Ferrari have been faster on the straights while Mercedes have had the edge in the corners. That suggests if the red cars can get in front they may be able to stay there, but overtaking the Silver Arrows will not be simple, even at Shanghai where passing is easier than at some circuits.

Other markets
Max Verstappen podium finish 5-2

Red Bull couldn't live with the pace around the power circuit of Bahrain last time, but Max Verstappen could repeat his strong showing from Australia this week.

After the first runs in Q3, Verstappen split the Ferraris in fourth place. He was denied a chance to improve his time, however, by getting caught in a bizarre traffic jam as the top ten prepared to begin their final fast laps.

The Red Bull looks much more competitive at this circuit than in Bahrain last time, and having looked the fastest car on track in the closing stages of the season-opener in Melbourne, Verstappen will fancy his chance of challenging.

With tiny gaps between the teammates at the big two teams Mercedes and Ferrari in qualifying, there could be some intense in-fighting going on in front of Verstappen, and the young Dutchman should be ready and waiting to pounce.

Recommendations
V Bottas
2pts 6-4 general
M Verstappen podium finish
1pt 5-2 general

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