Beneath the Chinese smog lies the fiercely challenging and technically demanding Shanghai International Circuit which splits driver opinion.
After the drama and debate of Malaysia the Formula 1 fraternity now moves on to the Chinese Grand Prix after a short break to enable us to all catch our breath. The track is one which some drivers love but others struggle with. Some visit China for the first time whilst others are ready to tackle the test again. Whatever the feeling towards the circuit is, one thing is for certain. It always provides some great on track action.
Tyres remain at the top of the discussion table, with Pirelli refusing to re-evaluate their 2013 rubber until after the China and Bahrain rounds. After a few weeks you would expect the Vettel/Webber story to have died down, but it certainly has not. It has been the talk of the paddock.
Malaysia provided an exciting and controversial tale which swiftly followed the strategic and thought provoking season opener, in which Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen reigned supreme. However the running order will be similarly challenging to pin point with the bumpy, wide and dusty Shanghai International Circuit contrasting heavily with the former two tracks.
The Chinese track, situated in the Jiading District of Shanghai, is an unusual one which was inspired by the shape of the Chinese character Shang, has an unusual mix of high speed switches, medium speed bends and slow hairpins. These are all scattered between large straights which break up the lap, particularly the back straight which is one of the longest in the sport.
Drivers particularly point out the long turn 1 and 2 complex, as well as the never ending turn 13, as the main challenges. The heavy braking for turn 14 is also crucial to get a good run through the last sector.
The Hermann Tilke designed track was made from scratch on swampland which has caused some subsidence over the years, creating additional bumps to the already difficult surface. Each sector is unique, with the first sector being quite slow. The second sector is more flowing with medium speed bends, ending in a mixed final sector. The last part of the lap features a bit of everything, medium speed corners, long straights and big braking zones.
With the threat of rain and a track bursting with overtaking opportunities (turns 1, 6 and 14 being the best chances of advancing.) This has created some fantastic races in the past. For example the inaugural round back in 2004 was one filled with close racing action; Rubens Barrichello narrowly beating Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen after a shocking weekend for Michael Schumacher.
The 2006 round ended in drama for the midfield after backmarkers blocked Nick Heidfelds BMW Sauber going in to turn 14. The German had to slam on the brakes, losing a position to Jenson Button in the process. However the Brit's Honda team-mate Rubens Barrichello was caught out and slammed into the back of Heidfeld, breaking his rear suspension. Both cars limped home damaged and broken to score points. 2007 saw Lewis Hamilton effectively throw away his title chances after slithering into the gravel trap on the run to the pit lane.
Lewis Hamilton won the 2011 race in some style after scything up through the field. In contrast team-mate Jenson Button failed to impress with his clumsy style in the 2012 race, pitting in the Red Bull pit box. That very race saw Nico Rosberg clinch his debut career victory for Mercedes, ending a long draught.
Going in to this seasons Chinese Grand Prix, it is all to play for. Lotus look to have dropped back judging by their Malaysian Grand Prix pace, with Red Bull capitalising to move forward. McLaren look to be improving after a disastrous start, whilst Mercedes have made good strides towards the top.
Marussia and Caterham look to do battle again whilst the midfield hots up, Sauber closing in on Force India.
Chinese Grand Prix Factfile:
Location: Shanghai, China
Track Length: 3.387 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 16
Laps: 56
Gear changes per lap: 55
Full throttle: 62%
First race: 2004
Lap record: 1m32.238 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 2004
Tyre compounds: soft and medium
2012 race winner: Nico Rosberg
2012 pole position: Nico Rosberg
2012 fastest lap: 1m39.960 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBCF1 (UK)
 |
| (c) Sky Sports F1 |
Tyres remain at the top of the discussion table, with Pirelli refusing to re-evaluate their 2013 rubber until after the China and Bahrain rounds. After a few weeks you would expect the Vettel/Webber story to have died down, but it certainly has not. It has been the talk of the paddock.
Malaysia provided an exciting and controversial tale which swiftly followed the strategic and thought provoking season opener, in which Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen reigned supreme. However the running order will be similarly challenging to pin point with the bumpy, wide and dusty Shanghai International Circuit contrasting heavily with the former two tracks.
The Chinese track, situated in the Jiading District of Shanghai, is an unusual one which was inspired by the shape of the Chinese character Shang, has an unusual mix of high speed switches, medium speed bends and slow hairpins. These are all scattered between large straights which break up the lap, particularly the back straight which is one of the longest in the sport.
Drivers particularly point out the long turn 1 and 2 complex, as well as the never ending turn 13, as the main challenges. The heavy braking for turn 14 is also crucial to get a good run through the last sector.
 |
| (c) Sauber F1 Team |
The Hermann Tilke designed track was made from scratch on swampland which has caused some subsidence over the years, creating additional bumps to the already difficult surface. Each sector is unique, with the first sector being quite slow. The second sector is more flowing with medium speed bends, ending in a mixed final sector. The last part of the lap features a bit of everything, medium speed corners, long straights and big braking zones.
With the threat of rain and a track bursting with overtaking opportunities (turns 1, 6 and 14 being the best chances of advancing.) This has created some fantastic races in the past. For example the inaugural round back in 2004 was one filled with close racing action; Rubens Barrichello narrowly beating Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen after a shocking weekend for Michael Schumacher.
The 2006 round ended in drama for the midfield after backmarkers blocked Nick Heidfelds BMW Sauber going in to turn 14. The German had to slam on the brakes, losing a position to Jenson Button in the process. However the Brit's Honda team-mate Rubens Barrichello was caught out and slammed into the back of Heidfeld, breaking his rear suspension. Both cars limped home damaged and broken to score points. 2007 saw Lewis Hamilton effectively throw away his title chances after slithering into the gravel trap on the run to the pit lane.
Lewis Hamilton won the 2011 race in some style after scything up through the field. In contrast team-mate Jenson Button failed to impress with his clumsy style in the 2012 race, pitting in the Red Bull pit box. That very race saw Nico Rosberg clinch his debut career victory for Mercedes, ending a long draught.
Going in to this seasons Chinese Grand Prix, it is all to play for. Lotus look to have dropped back judging by their Malaysian Grand Prix pace, with Red Bull capitalising to move forward. McLaren look to be improving after a disastrous start, whilst Mercedes have made good strides towards the top.
Marussia and Caterham look to do battle again whilst the midfield hots up, Sauber closing in on Force India.
Chinese Grand Prix Factfile:
 |
| (c) AllF1 |
Track Length: 3.387 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 16
Laps: 56
Gear changes per lap: 55
Full throttle: 62%
First race: 2004
Lap record: 1m32.238 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 2004
Tyre compounds: soft and medium
2012 race winner: Nico Rosberg
2012 pole position: Nico Rosberg
2012 fastest lap: 1m39.960 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBCF1 (UK)
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