Hamilton: It will be closer than you think

Lewis Hamilton says that the fight between Mercedes and Ferrari will be very tight in China. Shanghai hosts the third round of the 2018 Formula 1 world championship, with Ferrari taking victory at the opening two rounds of the season.

The Maranello-based squad has should impressive straight-line speed far, and with the Shanghai circuit containing one of the longest straight on the calendar, the four-time world champion predicts a close battle between the two teams.

"They are going to be hard to beat. Their straight-line speed has been faster than ours and we have the longest straights here. So I anticipate they are going to be very fast. It should be a good track for us but I think it is going to be a lot closer than you think."

Ferrari locked out the front row in qualifying last time out in Bahrain, but face a challenge to replicate that performance in China. Mercedes has taken pole at the circuit every year since 2012, only failing to convert it into a victory in 2013.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel says that Mercedes are the favourites going into the weekend, but believes that if things are done right, the Italian team could put a halt to the Silver Arrows' domination in the Asian country.

"The first two races have been quite different so it is not straightforward to predict the next one," he said. "I think Mercedes are still the favourite going in but if we do our homework and get the car balance right, it should be a good weekend."

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,533
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 232
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
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