2017 Chinese Grand Prix - what we learned

The processional first race of the season is not a precedent for every race. Indeed, there was much more on-track action in Shanghai. Whether it be Sebastian Vettel’s fine overtake of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and then of his Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, or action further down the pecking order – such as Hülkenberg and Romain Grosjean’s squabbling – there was plenty to get excited about. To top it all, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen came from 17th position on the starting grid to breeze his way past almost everyone, getting up into second position by lap 11.

3. DRS isn’t what it used to be

In previous seasons, the Drag Reduction System (DRS), a flap in the cars’ rear wings which opens to give greater straight-line speeds, was overpowered. It resulted in cars wafting past one another seemingly effortlessly. However, with 2017’s more aerodynamic cars, its effect seems to have been reduced, becoming what it was originally intended to be: an aid, not a guarantee.

4. McLaren and Honda are really in trouble