Williams holding out hope for positive China performance

Williams' driver's Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin are hoping that they can be more competitive this weekend in China compared to Bahrain last weekend. The Grove-outfit were stuck at the rear of the field throughout the three days, failing to pick up any points.

After two rounds in the 2018 championship complete, the Martini sponsored squad remains the only team yet to score points. Last season in China, Stroll and former teammate Felipe Massa managed to get themselves into the top ten in qualifying.

Stroll says that the double Q3 appearance in 2017 must be taken as a positive heading into the weekend: “In Bahrain it was shocking how much of a step backwards (it was),” the 19-year-old Canadian said. “There are a lot of things to sort out - our straight-line speed, our handling; everything needs work.

“Both of us were in Q3 (the final phase of qualifying) here last year, so I’d like to think that’s positive coming into this year. At the same time, I’m not stupid. But it’s a new circuit, different conditions - in Bahrain everything’s a little bit different, so we’ll see."

Rookie Sirotkin added: “It looks bad on results but I’ve been quite well in touch with the guys over the last few days. I just hope for another weekend like this, hopefully more about the working rather than results."