The latest from Shanghai
Join us all weekend for updates on Alex's second Grand Prix of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
21 March 2025
23 March 2025
23 March 2025
23 March 2025
ALEX to PIT
Okay, well done everyone. Good points. I think we got a bit unlucky. The hard was so good and I think we could have got Kimi there if the issue didn't happen at the end.
James Vowles to Alex:
Alex, well done. It's a good point. Agreed with you there was more in it, but I'm more encouraged by the fact that we had a good race car underneath us today. That we won't lose. I'm looking forward to the next few races. Yeah, good recovery from yesterday everyone, so well done. And Happy Birthday again!
Alex to PIT:
Thanks, getting old!
James Vowles to Alex:
Trust me, not yet! It gets worse!
23 March 2025
Birthday Points 🥳
23 March 2025
CHEQUERED FLAG 🏁
P9 in Shanghai! Two more points for Alex – a mega drive!
23 March 2025
LAST LAP
One more tour of Shanghai to go...
Alex - P9
23 March 2025
LAP 54/56
Three laps to go, Alex being asked to lift and coast in this closing stages...
Alex - P9
23 March 2025
LAP 50/56
Closing stages now here in Shanghai, Alex is 2.1s behind ANT with a 3.6s margin over BEA
Alex - P9
23 March 2025
LAP 45/56
Alex is starting to reel in Antonelli, two tenths quicker on the last tour...
Alex - P9
23 March 2025
LAP 42/56
Alex has BEA behind who is closing on medium tyres, but AA23 is looking forward – the two ahead are on 10-lap older hard tyres...
Alex - P9
23 March 2025
LAP 37/56
STR finally pits, 36 laps on his hard tyres which will be reassuring for Alex's strategy.
Alex - P9
23 March 2025
LAP 36/56
Back into the top 10 as TSU stops.
"Your pace is good" Alex is told.
Alex - P10
23 March 2025
LAP 35/56
Alex climbs to P11 as HAD makes his second stop...
23 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
Gap to Stroll in P7 has reduced to 11 seconds.
23 March 2025
LAP 29/56
Alex maintaining the gap the car ahead to try keep his tyres is a good window to push towards the end of the race when those ahead pit again...
Alex - P12
23 March 2025
LAP 27/56
Up to P12 for Alex as BEA makes his first stop...
23 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
So we think Stroll, P7, and all the cars between you and him will pit again.
23 March 2025
LAP 23/56
Move made! GAS makes it tough, but Alex sends it at the hairpin - he's P13 and chasing HAD...
23 March 2025
LAP 24/56
The chase is on, GAS is the car ahead and Alex has DRS...
23 March 2025
LAP 22/56 🅿️
Mega first stint, Albono!
It's fresh hards and he returns to the track in P14, but with much younger rubber than those immediately ahead...
23 March 2025
ALEX to PIT
I know we want to be smart, but don't be too smart.
PIT to ALEX
Yeah, there's a big train behind TSU.
23 March 2025
LAP 17/56
That was fun whilst it lasted. PIA takes the lead back from Alex under DRS...
23 March 2025
LAP 15/46
Well... that's P1.
Alex leads the Chinese GP. He's extending the opening stint...
23 March 2025
LAP 14/56
"Pace is good" Albono is told over the radio, as he cycles up to P5 now with stops from HAM and VER...
23 March 2025
LAP 13/56
Clean air for Albono as he jumps to P7 as ANT and OCO stop...
23 March 2025
LAP 12/56
We're seeing some of the first pit stops now, Alex has climbed into the top 10 as a result...
Alex - P9
23 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
We're thinking Plan A plus 6.
23 March 2025
LAP 9/56
Albono is UP for this! He's playing this crucial tyre management stage well, sitting comfortably in the DRS window of OCO ahead.
Alex - P11
23 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
We're happy with tyres.
ALEX to PIT
Yeah, I'm good. I am very comfortable.
23 March 2025
LAP 7/56
Alex is currently in the middle of a seven car DRS train, headed up by TSU in P8 with SAI the final carriage in P14...
23 March 2025
ALEX to PIT
So much clipping everywhere, especially Turn 1.
23 March 2025
LAP 4/56
GAS is now the car behind Alex after ALO suffers a brake issue...
23 March 2025
LAP 2/56
Clean opening lap, Alex had dropped two spots but fought back on ALO and is now P11...
23 March 2025
⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️
LIGHTS OUT IN SHANGHAI!
23 March 2025
Formation Lap 🔁
One lap for Alex to prep his fresh medium tyres ahead of the start...
23 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
Okay Alex, so tyre-wise, the top 13 cars all on medium.
23 March 2025
Seated 💺
Alex is in his car, time for a birthday drive... let's do this.
23 March 2025
Anthem time 🇨🇳
Alex heads to the front of the grid for the pre-race ceremonies, not long left to go now...
23 March 2025
The grid shared birthday wishes as the they readied for the drivers parade
23 March 2025
Birthday Boy 🎂
It's a special day for Albono, too, as he turns 29 today.
He got a lot of well wishes from you all. Check out some of the highlights here 👇
23 March 2025
23 March 2025
The Sun is Shining in Shanghai ☀️
Welcome to the Chinese Grand Prix everyone.
It's a glorious and unseasonably warm day at the Shanghai International Circuit for Alex to race.
He scored big in the rain one week ago. We'll see how he manages in drier conditions very soon.
22 March 2025
Lily kept a close eye on Alex all through Saturday
22 March 2025
Alex will start in P10 for tomorrow's race!
22 March 2025
PIT and ALEX
ALEX: I think that was the best we could have done.
ALEX: I think we made a better race car as well, so that's good.
PIT: You did a good job to get into Q3, so nice job.
JAMES: Well done Alex, I agree. I think that's where the car was this afternoon.
JAMES: Hopefully it'll turn out to be a better race car tomorrow.
22 March 2025
No improvement
Alex can't go faster on his final run, missing two tenths, and complains about his tyre.
He'll begin in P10 tomorrow after another stellar session.
22 March 2025
Super close
It's P10 for Alex at the moment, but a single tenth would see him jump two positions.
An incredibly close Quali.
22 March 2025
Q3, Lap 1
Alex puts in a 1:31.706. Let's see where that gets him...
22 March 2025
Q3 is go
A top effort from Albono sees him in the final part of a qualifying session for the third time in two weeks.
Where will he qualify?
22 March 2025
Alex is going quick
22 March 2025
ALEX to PIT
Let's just focus on a clean outlap.
I think we have more pace in the car.
We just haven't had a very good outlap in Q2.
22 March 2025
Alex improves!
Alex gets a 1:31.595 to improve but remain in P10.
He's into Q3! He pumps his fist in the cockpit.
That's a delighted driver!
22 March 2025
Three minutes remain
Alex leads the sister FW47 out of the pit lane. He's got a new set of softs on his car as he pushes to get into Q1.
22 March 2025
Up to P8
Alex puts in a 1:31.621.
He's in the top spots for the moment, in P8, as he heads back to the pit lane.
22 March 2025
Going for it
Alex begins his first Q2 push lap...
22 March 2025
Q2 Begins
Another slow start to the session as a pit lane queue makes it tricky for Alex to join the track.
22 March 2025
Through to Q2!
A 1:31.503 gets Alex into P6 and he's through to the second part of Quali.
22 March 2025
Here we go
Albono follows his teammate for this last Q1 lap.
He's P12, as it stands...
22 March 2025
Q1 traffic jam
Alex is back in the pit lane, along with most of the grid.
It's time for one last Q1 push.
22 March 2025
Box, box
A trip to the weigh bridge as Alex returns to the pit lane.
22 March 2025
First push lap
A 1:31.970 as Alex's first representative lap.
That's good enough for P6.
22 March 2025
In and out
Alex doesn't set a time, but comes into the pit lane for a live pit stop and a switch to a new set of soft rubber.
22 March 2025
A busy circuit
Everyone aside from Max Verstappen is on track, and they're all running softs.
Let's see how Alex fares...
22 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
Okay. Session is going green.
22 March 2025
Qualifying Next 💪
Alex is nearly ready to get his grid position for tomorrow's race.
Are you ready? Follow along right here.
22 March 2025
Add to your collection
Remember Alex's Chinese GP weekend with a limited-time collectable!
Head to the top of the page any time or click below to grab yours now 👇
22 March 2025
22 March 2025
Lapped 🇨🇳
Lapped: China Edition!
Alex attempts to answer some fiendishly difficult Chinese GP-themed questions!
22 March 2025
22 March 2025
Sprint ✅
Alex fends off the Alpine's advance to cross the line in P11.
22 March 2025
Last Lap
Alex begins the final tour of Sprint.
Gasly has quickly closed in and will have DRS on the back straight...
22 March 2025
Gasly Behind
Alex remains in P11, just on the cusp of DRS from Alonso.
Meanwhile, it's now Gasly behind instead of Bearman, 3.6 seconds away.
Lap 17/19
22 March 2025
Reeling In
Tyre management is working well for Alex.
He's 1.6 seconds away from Alonso and P10 and rapidly closing.
Lap 15/19
22 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
OK, seven laps to go.
You're doing a good job with tyres. It's good night for that front left.
Carlos had to pit for another medium.
22 March 2025
Clear air
Alex is running by himself a little in P11.
He's now 3 seconds adrift of Alonso and 2 seconds ahead of Bearman.
Lap 12/19
22 March 2025
Recharging
Radio between the car and pit wall discuss how Alex can use the energy deployment to pass Alonso.
He falls behind a little, with the gap now 1.8 seconds.
Lap 9/19
22 March 2025
Defensive moves
Alonso has to cover the inside line at the Turn 14 hairpin as Alex probes for an opening.
Lap 6/19
22 March 2025
Help from DRS
As many drivers fall over a second behind the cars in front, Alex stays close to Alonso to benefit from DRS.
He's getting close to the Spaniard, but no overtake yet.
Lap 5/17
22 March 2025
Following Fernando
Alonso is dropping away from Norris as Alex closes in on the Aston Martin's rear wing.
Lap 3/19
22 March 2025
Close Together
Alex is less than a second from Alonso ahead, and Bearman is less than a second behind.
Lap 2/19
22 March 2025
Through the first lap
The Aston Martins make their way by Alex in the opening sectors as it gets very tight in the twisting corners.
Lap 1/19
22 March 2025
Everyone on Mediums
Alex and his 19 rivals are all equipped with Pirelli's yellow-walled rubber.
22 March 2025
Formation Lap 👉
That's Alex and the cars heading out for their first lap of the day.
22 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
Radio check.
22 March 2025
TEN MINUTE WARNING 🚨
It's not long before Alex sets out for the formation lap.
If you're just waking up or are already enjoying your day, get ready to go racing...
22 March 2025
That's a happy looking Albono
22 March 2025
One Weekend. Two Races 🏁
The first of this weekend's two races is coming up.
Alex lines up P9 for Sprint today and in a great place to fight for more points after his Melbourne excellence.
Where will he finish? We'll find out soon with lights out in 30 minutes.
21 March 2025
21 March 2025
Chequered flag 🏁
The curtain comes down on Sprint Quali, with Alex’s top time of 1:31.852 meaning he finishes the session in P9.
We’ll be bringing you all the action when Saturday’s Sprint gets started at 11am local time (CST), so make sure to join us again then!
21 March 2025
Top time 🌟
It’s a best lap of SQ3 from Albono, who is in P9 courtesy of a 1:31.852 lap time.
21 March 2025
Lap complete ☑️
AA23 is in P8 after his first lap, following a time of 1:52.203.
21 March 2025
Heading back out 👉
Albono returns to the Shanghai International Circuit.
21 March 2025
SQ3 starts 🟢
The final stage of today’s Sprint Quali has started.
This time the top ten drivers will jostle for position on the starting grid at tomorrow’s Sprint, with just eight minutes to record a better time than their rivals.
Unlike SQ1 and 2, Alex will be using soft tyres on this occasion.
21 March 2025
Into SQ3! ⬆️
SQ2 comes to a close, and Alex’s best time of 1:31.539 sees him finish P7.
He’s through to SQ3!
21 March 2025
Best time ⭐️
Albono’s latest lap is his fastest of the session at 1:31.539. He’s in P7 as things stand.
21 March 2025
On the board ⌚️
Alex completes his first lap of SQ2, recording a time of 1:58.143 — currently leaving him in P9.
21 March 2025
Alex heads out ➡️
Our Thai racer ventures out onto the track for SQ2, with around five minutes of the session remaining.
21 March 2025
SQ2 is under way 🚨
The action is back under way in Shanghai.
It’s still medium tyres only for this one, with ten minutes to record a top-ten finish.
21 March 2025
Through to SQ2 💪
A top time of 1:32.462 is enough to send Alex through to SQ2 in 14th place.
21 March 2025
Time check ⏱️
AA23 records his best time of the session, coming in at 1:32.462. That moves him up to P10.
21 March 2025
First lap ✅
Albono posts a first lap time of 1:32.845, putting him in P11 as things stand.
21 March 2025
🗣️ Pit to Alex
"Go push..."
21 March 2025
On track 🏎️
Alex heads out onto the track. Remember that it’s medium tyres only in SQ1, with the session lasting 12 minutes.
21 March 2025
Go time 🟢
We’re under way at the Shanghai International Circuit!
21 March 2025
Tick, tock ⏰
The first Sprint Quali of 2025 gets started in just 5️⃣ minutes.
21 March 2025
21 March 2025
30 minutes 'til Sprint Quali ⏳
Not long left to wait before Alex's first competitive session of the weekend...
21 March 2025
Alex returns to the pits to go through the data
21 March 2025
21 March 2025
FP1 ✅
That's the first hour complete.
Alex got another pit lane practice start in before the flag flew.
A last-ditch effort from Hulkenberg means Alex ends FP1 in P7.
21 March 2025
Box, box 🅿️
Out and in for Alex on the soft tyres.
He slipped to P6 as others complete their laps.
That's an encouraging sign for Sprint Quali later.
21 March 2025
Rapid on Red Rubber 💨
Alex goes P2 with a 1:32.687!
21 March 2025
Back to it 🟢
The final moments of the session see Alex switching to soft Pirellis as the green flag flies.
21 March 2025
Red Flag 🚩
Jack Doohan has an issue with his Alpine to stop the session.
21 March 2025
Running deep 😖
No damage for Albonno, but he runs into the escape road on pit entry.
An earlier lock-up at the hairpin is to blame for the long stopping distance.
21 March 2025
Box, box 🅿️
Alex returns to the pit lane as the timer ticks to 20 minutes remaining.
He boxes, then goes to the end of the pits for another practice start.
21 March 2025
PIT to ALEX
Alex, that's a strong lap so far.
21 March 2025
Lots of learning 👨🏫
That's 14 laps racked up now. Alex is taking plenty of lessons from this new track surface.
He's P10 right now.
21 March 2025
Back to it 👉
Alex is back on track with the same medium rubber.
He does a practice start at the end of the pit lane before taking a tour.
21 March 2025
Alex speeds around Shanghai
21 March 2025
Box, box 🅿️
Albono improves one final time on these tyres, setting a 1:33.636.
He's P9 as he heads into the pit lane.
21 March 2025
Finding pace 📈
"That's a decent lap" is the radio message from the pit wall as Albono gets a 1:33.718 on his latest push lap.
He sits P6.
21 March 2025
ALEX and PIT
PIT: Go around for one more...
ALEX: I can go now.
PIT: Okay. Good. Go Push.
21 March 2025
Improvements in traffic 🚥
A lot of cars in Alex's way during the final sector, but he still improves to a 1:34.603.
He's P11 for the moment.
21 March 2025
First Lap ✅
A clean lap for Alex sees him set a 1:35.830.
21 March 2025
ALEX to PIT
There's something loose around my pedals
21 March 2025
Off-roading ⚠️
Albono goes deep at the Turn 1 and Turn 2 right-hander as he tries to avoid Ollie Bearman.
A little run through the gravel, but Alex avoids the barriers.
21 March 2025
FP1 is Go 🟢
The green light illuminates and there's a queue in the pit lane.
Alex exits the garage to join the drivers.
He's the 16th car in the order, running on medium tyres.
21 March 2025
It's sunny but mild as Alex & Lily demonstrated in their jackets heading into the paddock
21 March 2025
Firing up for FP1 🇨🇳
Hello from Shanghai!
Alex is set to get an hour of running in the sole Free Practice session of this weekend.
It's FP1 and Sprint Qualifying today, and we'll bring you everything from car No23 here.
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