Track Preview: 2015 Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai

The Chinese Grand Prix has become well known for providing some exciting races characterised by tyre strategy in recent years which is helped sometimes by the change in weather in Shanghai. For this race, Pirelli have chosen the P Zero White medium and P Zero Yellow soft tyre compounds this weekend that they feel should be well suited to the conditions, which are generally temperate.

With fast corners, a smooth surface, and plenty of overtaking opportunities,; around 80% of the lap in China is spent cornering, which means that energy is nearly always going into the tyres. The frequent acceleration out of the corners means that the drivers have to guard against wheelspin. The downforce levels run by the teams in China are generally medium, in order to maintain optimal top speeds through both the corners and straights.

If cool weather hits the Shanghai circuit, this would mean that graining can be an issue with both compounds that are being used during the weekend; which accelerates both wear and degradation, especially at the front. Plenty of forces go through the front tyres due to the number of high-energy corners – such as turn one, which is almost a full circle – and the heavy braking areas, which causes weight to transfer towards the front of the car.

This can be seen throughout the banked Turn 13, with maximum downforce pushing onto the car, the contact patch of the tyre can increase significantly compared to when the car is stationary.

But the front-left tyre is the most stressed in Shanghai, while the traction demands of the circuit also give a lot of work to the rear tyres. Shanghai is a big, open circuit and if you add in heat, it creates a lot of energy but we've seen from Malaysia that these tyres will rise to the challenge.

Facts and Figures

• Shanghai has hosted the Grand Prix since 2004, even though China had a provisional track and the Grand Prix added to the calendar in 1999.
• Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver to win the Grand Prix with three wins
• Ferrari are the most successful constructor to win the Grand Prix with four wins
• Race distance: 305.06km (189.56 miles)
• Number of turns:16
• Top speed: 317kph
• Lap record: Michael Schumacher- Ferrari (2004)- 1.32.238
Last five winners of the Chinese Grand Prix:-
• 2010-Jenson Button
• 2011-Lewis Hamilton
• 2012-Nico Rosberg
• 2013- Fernando Alonso
• 2014- Lewis Hamilton

• My top 5 things to look out for this weekend:-

1. FP1 Debut of Jolyon Palmer- All eyes will upon Jolyon Palmer who will make his F1 debut with the Lotus team this weekend. As last year's GP2 Champion, Palmer won the series in an impressive display showing why Lotus signed him as a reserve driver this season. With many believing him to be a driver that is more than capable of being in Formula One, will Jolyon be able to have the perfect start to his F1 career this weekend?

2. Weather- The weather is a factor this weekend in Shanghai. As I have already mentioned, if cool weather hits the circuit, tyre management will be critical for drivers to manage in order to get a good result this weekend. Will we see the drivers struggle this weekend with the tyres?

3. Performance of the McLaren-Hondas- With McLaren-Honda not having the best start to the season so far, many people will be wondering if the team will be able to build upon what they have achieved in the first two races of the year and have a more competitive performance this weekend in China. Even though as a McLaren fan myself, I am hoping that is the case and even a small step would benefit the team in the long run, but will I be proven correct?

4. Performance of Sebastian Vettel- With Vettel surprising most of the paddock and the fans with a stunning performance in Malaysia to win his first Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver; all eyes will be upon him to see if he can win again this weekend in China. With Mercedes taking the threat that Ferrari have posed seriously; will we see Vettel winning again this weekend?

5. The performance of the world champions Mercedes- With Mercedes having dominated in Australia and having a “damage limitation” weekend in Malaysia, Mercedes are clearly still the favourites to retain both of their championships this season and winning at Shanghai this weekend. But the real question is; will Ferrari be able to pose a challenge over the course of the weekend once again and be able to take the lead with Vettel of the Drivers Championship from Hamilton?

Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race for the Grand Prix (and every race of the season) and the BBC also are showing coverage, details for both are below:-

• Sky Sports F1:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 2.45am and 6.45am [Replays throughout Friday], Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 4.45am and 7.00am [Replays throughout Saturday], Sunday (Race) 5.30am

• BBC– Saturday (Qualifying highlights) 1.00pm, Sunday (Race highlights) 2.00pm and 7.00pm

Sarah Jones-@jonesy_laaa