The third round of the 2015 Formula 1 season takes place at the Shanghai International Circuit in China.
It is the 12th running of the Chinese Grand Prix and follows a thrilling race in Malaysia, with Sebastian Vettel taking the fight to the Mercedes drivers and scoring his first win for Ferrari.
The Shanghai International Circuit is a tricky and technical track, with a wide variety of corners and several long straights. It typically produces good racing, as there are plenty of overtaking opportunities. The weather is often cool and overcast, which contrasts heavily with the heat and humidity of Malaysia.
The 2015 season kicked off at the Albert Park Circuit last month, with a relatively underwhelming Australian Grand Prix. The Mercedes duo dominated, with Lewis Hamilton taking victory ahead of Nico Rosberg. It sparked fears that the Brackley-based outfit’s advantage would be bigger than the previous year.
However, the team’s run of success was cut short, with Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari shining at the Sepang International Circuit. A perfect strategy and conditions that brought out the SF15-T’s strengths meant the four-time world champion took a clear win – his first for F1’s most iconic outfit.
Mercedes still looks to be the top team, and the cooler conditions in China will certainly help the W06. It has lost its power-unit advantage, with Ferrari often matching and beating the Mercedes-powered teams in the speed traps, but I expect and hope that the gap will remain small.
Williams looks to be on its own in third, a little bit further back. Meanwhile Toro Rosso appears to lead the midfield fight, which should also include Red Bull, Sauber, Lotus and Force India. Manor Marussia is some way behind, but it is encouraging to see the team back on track.
F1 debuted in China back in 2004 and was typically one of the final races on the calendar. In 2009 it was moved to an early-season date and this year reclaims its place as the third round on the schedule, after briefly switching with Bahrain in 2014.
The Shanghai International Circuit was built on swampland and took 18 months to complete, costing $450 million. However, its location has caused some subsidence in recent years, creating additional bumps on an already uneven surface.
The three sectors each have unique characteristics. The first contains a number of slow corners, while the second features more medium and high-speed bends. The final section features a bit of everything, including a long straight and tight hairpin.
A lap of the 3.39 mile, Hermann Tile-designed layout starts on the long pit straight. This is where the first DRS zone will be positioned, with the pit lane to the right-hand side. The first and second corners make up a long-duration, challenging and gradually tightening right-hander that gently dips downhill.
The slow left-hander of Turn 3 is next up, before the fast kink of Turn 4. A good exit is crucial for the following short straight, which is broken up by the flat-out Turn 5. The second sector begins just prior to the heavy braking zone for the Turn 6 hairpin, which –like the first corner – is another strong overtaking spot.
The cars then power uphill towards the sweeping, high-speed Turns 7 and 8. The tricky left-right complex is taken at incredibly high speed and plenty of downforce. The ninth and 10th corners on the track follow soon after, with both being slow left-handers. Speed builds throughout, with the section proving to be particularly challenging in wet conditions.
A short straight follows, with the third sector kicking off just before the braking zone for the Turn 11 and 12 chicane. It is a slow left-right section that requires an aggressive approach and plenty of kerb. It is immediately followed by the long right-hander of Turn 13, which leads on to one of the sport’s longest straights. This is where the second DRS zone will be.
Turn 14 is undoubtedly the best passing place on the track. The incredibly heavy braking zone means mistakes are often made, and brake wear is often an issue during the Chinese Grand Prix. The right-hand hairpin is followed by the almost non-existent Turn 15, with the almost 90-degree right of Turn 16 completing the lap. The pit lane entry is just prior to the final corner, with drivers heading straight on instead of turning.
The track surface isn’t very abrasive at the Shanghai International Circuit, but the tyres are often worked hard. Pirelli will bring the medium and soft compounds to China – the most versatile tyres in the Italian supplier’s range, which are perfectly suited to the cooler conditions and variety of corner types. However, because of this, car set-up is very tricky.
The pit entry is very difficult, as drivers have to go straight on at the final corner before tackling a tight and slow left-hander. Lewis Hamilton famously beached his McLaren in the gravel trap at the pit entry during the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix after the team’s strategy backfired and he was forced to attempt the corner with severely worn intermediate tyres.
However, the Englishman is the most successful driver at the track, having won the race three times. Fernando Alonso is the only other multiple winner, taking victory in 2005 and 2013, but unlike Hamilton it is very unlikely that he will be challenging for top positions this season.
Chinese Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Shanghai, China
Track Length: 3.39 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 16
Laps: 56
First race: 2004
Lap record: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004, 1:32.238
Tyre compounds: Medium and soft
2014 race winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:53.860
2014 fastest lap: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1: 40.402
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (Highlights BBC)
 |
| © Mercedes AMG Petronas |
The Shanghai International Circuit is a tricky and technical track, with a wide variety of corners and several long straights. It typically produces good racing, as there are plenty of overtaking opportunities. The weather is often cool and overcast, which contrasts heavily with the heat and humidity of Malaysia.
 |
| © McLaren |
The 2015 season kicked off at the Albert Park Circuit last month, with a relatively underwhelming Australian Grand Prix. The Mercedes duo dominated, with Lewis Hamilton taking victory ahead of Nico Rosberg. It sparked fears that the Brackley-based outfit’s advantage would be bigger than the previous year.
However, the team’s run of success was cut short, with Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari shining at the Sepang International Circuit. A perfect strategy and conditions that brought out the SF15-T’s strengths meant the four-time world champion took a clear win – his first for F1’s most iconic outfit.
Mercedes still looks to be the top team, and the cooler conditions in China will certainly help the W06. It has lost its power-unit advantage, with Ferrari often matching and beating the Mercedes-powered teams in the speed traps, but I expect and hope that the gap will remain small.
Williams looks to be on its own in third, a little bit further back. Meanwhile Toro Rosso appears to lead the midfield fight, which should also include Red Bull, Sauber, Lotus and Force India. Manor Marussia is some way behind, but it is encouraging to see the team back on track.
F1 debuted in China back in 2004 and was typically one of the final races on the calendar. In 2009 it was moved to an early-season date and this year reclaims its place as the third round on the schedule, after briefly switching with Bahrain in 2014.
The Shanghai International Circuit was built on swampland and took 18 months to complete, costing $450 million. However, its location has caused some subsidence in recent years, creating additional bumps on an already uneven surface.
 |
| © Sahara Force India F1 Team |
The three sectors each have unique characteristics. The first contains a number of slow corners, while the second features more medium and high-speed bends. The final section features a bit of everything, including a long straight and tight hairpin.
A lap of the 3.39 mile, Hermann Tile-designed layout starts on the long pit straight. This is where the first DRS zone will be positioned, with the pit lane to the right-hand side. The first and second corners make up a long-duration, challenging and gradually tightening right-hander that gently dips downhill.
The slow left-hander of Turn 3 is next up, before the fast kink of Turn 4. A good exit is crucial for the following short straight, which is broken up by the flat-out Turn 5. The second sector begins just prior to the heavy braking zone for the Turn 6 hairpin, which –like the first corner – is another strong overtaking spot.
The cars then power uphill towards the sweeping, high-speed Turns 7 and 8. The tricky left-right complex is taken at incredibly high speed and plenty of downforce. The ninth and 10th corners on the track follow soon after, with both being slow left-handers. Speed builds throughout, with the section proving to be particularly challenging in wet conditions.
A short straight follows, with the third sector kicking off just before the braking zone for the Turn 11 and 12 chicane. It is a slow left-right section that requires an aggressive approach and plenty of kerb. It is immediately followed by the long right-hander of Turn 13, which leads on to one of the sport’s longest straights. This is where the second DRS zone will be.
 |
| © Red Bull/Getty Images |
Turn 14 is undoubtedly the best passing place on the track. The incredibly heavy braking zone means mistakes are often made, and brake wear is often an issue during the Chinese Grand Prix. The right-hand hairpin is followed by the almost non-existent Turn 15, with the almost 90-degree right of Turn 16 completing the lap. The pit lane entry is just prior to the final corner, with drivers heading straight on instead of turning.
The track surface isn’t very abrasive at the Shanghai International Circuit, but the tyres are often worked hard. Pirelli will bring the medium and soft compounds to China – the most versatile tyres in the Italian supplier’s range, which are perfectly suited to the cooler conditions and variety of corner types. However, because of this, car set-up is very tricky.
The pit entry is very difficult, as drivers have to go straight on at the final corner before tackling a tight and slow left-hander. Lewis Hamilton famously beached his McLaren in the gravel trap at the pit entry during the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix after the team’s strategy backfired and he was forced to attempt the corner with severely worn intermediate tyres.
However, the Englishman is the most successful driver at the track, having won the race three times. Fernando Alonso is the only other multiple winner, taking victory in 2005 and 2013, but unlike Hamilton it is very unlikely that he will be challenging for top positions this season.
 |
| © Formula 1 |
Chinese Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Shanghai, China
Track Length: 3.39 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 16
Laps: 56
First race: 2004
Lap record: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004, 1:32.238
Tyre compounds: Medium and soft
2014 race winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:53.860
2014 fastest lap: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1: 40.402
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (Highlights BBC)
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