Qualifying Day. Thursday.
Red—Red—Red—Red—Red
Green—Green—Green—Green—Green
The pitlane was announced free, unrestricted, and the track open to chase the fastest lap for Q1.
Mechanics stood motionless for a second, watching their machines roll onto the Shanghai circuit before hurrying back inside to the telemetry screens.
Elias Nyström was one of the drivers to roll out of their garages first. The Nordvind Racing engineers and mechanics didn't even have enough time to step away before his black, rigid rear tires spat heat into their faces.
Nyström liked to be the first out, just like DiMarco did too. Both of them set out fiercely, as if they planned to use the 5.5 km track for a duel of their own.
Luca took notice of a few fresh faces for the second round of the season. A few teams had made certain changes, knowing fully well that drivers who participated in the qualifying session must be the same drivers starting on race day.