Edd answers your Chinese GP F1 driver rankings questions
Added 2025-03-27 05:54:44 +0000 UTCEdd's back from China and piling into your questions about his Shanghai rankings - as the first sprint weekend of the 2025 F1 season prompted plenty of queries about how he balances the two very different races when judging drivers' weekends.
If you missed his rankings when they were first published or need a reminder of the order, you can find them here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ask-edd-straw-gp-125049369?
Comments
I found your mention of the lack of F1 TV interesting since here in the USA it’s really the only reliable way to follow the races (beyond just highlights on YouTube which was my only F1 content for years). Has the lack of F1 TV seemed to have blunted the growth of F1 in China at all? And do their broadcasters just use the video from the world feed with their own commentary? I also kept thinking of one moment in the broadcast when they cut to a driver’s dad on his phone in the garage and Alex Jakes commented that even with all the data in the garage the dad still preferred to use the F1 TV app. I’m sure it isn’t the case but it’s funny to think of him catching up on some other sport/show during the race (maybe to keep his mind occupied, I’m sure it’s a nerve wracking position to be in!)
Joseph Paetz
2025-03-27 14:55:18 +0000 UTCWhat’s always bothered me about Sprints in the ratings is that it seems it’s more on which teams nail setup with limited running. Machinery is supposed to be taken out of the consideration but it’s unavoidable for Sprints.
Fatboy
2025-03-27 10:33:59 +0000 UTCAgreed. I had a conversation with other members last year where I said that this is probably the grid with the greatest overall ability ever. Even the worst driver is a very effective professional driver - or, in another way, there's no Johnny Carwash
Simon Emms
2025-03-27 09:51:41 +0000 UTCYeah, that's often the difficulty. And as I think I said in the video, the overall standard of F1 drivers is so high and often the differences very small between them that drivers can end up with quite a low rank despite having a pretty good weekend. It maybe doesn't come across as I constantly sit in judgement but genuinely am astounded by the level they can all deliver at.
Edd Straw
2025-03-27 09:37:06 +0000 UTCThanks Edd. These videos are very informative. I also thought Norris was a bit low and then realised that I couldn't put him higher based on how well so many people did above him.
Simon Emms
2025-03-27 08:49:43 +0000 UTC
