Posted on 16th April 2014
UBS Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai International Circuit (Shanghai)
Laser cut Shanghai circuit from www.grahamandleigh.co.uk
The Facts
Lap – 5.451km
Race Laps: 56
Race Distance 305.066 km
Lap Record: 1:32.238 M. Schumacher (2004)
2013 Winner: Fernando Alonso
Race Date: 20.04.2014
Safety Car – Possible
Weather – Overcast and Dry.
Tyre Allocation – Soft & Medium
The Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit is a technical and challenging place for F1 cars and drivers. The twists, turns and long straights mean getting the perfect setup is very difficult. It's a demanding track, all 16 corners are tricky to master. Located in the Jiading area of Shanghai, this incredible motorsport venue was constructed on swampland, the work was completed in just 18 months.
In 2004, Formula 1 had its first ever Chinese Grand Prix. The layout of this circuit is shaped like the Chinese character “Shangâ€, which means “High†or “Aboveâ€. Sadly this venue has never been a sell out during the Grand Prix weekends.
The capacity at the circuit is enormous; the main grand stand alone can hold 29,000 people. But there are some people who believe that China just doesn't understand F1 in the way other nations like Japan and Singapore do. It's a good track, it's usually a good race but it just doesn't get the support sadly.
The long back straight is the best place for overtaking into the turn 14 hairpin, the drivers can make the switch back and try to take back position into the final corner. The flow of this Circuit can make it difficult to overtake, the hairpins provide the best opportunities.
The biggest challenge for the driver is often finding the perfect set up. This is a high speed track, but it has slow, tight and twisty sections where downforce is required. Tyre wear can be a factor here too, Pirelli have brought the soft and medium tyres, meaning 3 stop strategies are likely once again this weekend.
The weather has been a factor in the past, this weekend however we are expecting to be dry and overcast. There have been years where rain has affected the race.
They say in China that the colour red brings you luck, Fernando Alonso in the Scarlet red Ferrari had the perfect strategy and a brilliant car to take a superb victory in Shanghai in 2013 and Ferrari will be looking to get closer to the Mercedes engined cars this year. Alonso is the only man ever to have completed every racing lap on the Shanghai International Circuit after 10 years of racing here, let's hope his run continues.
Daniel Ricciardo finished 7th last year, and on current form, should do better this year, but after the great race in Bahrain, we are all wondering if anyone can get near Hamilton and Rosberg, and will we get another thrilling battle between the two Mercedes drivers.
The Coverage
Sky will cover:
Practice 1 & 2 on Friday at 03:00 and 07:00
Practice 3 & Qualifying Saturday at 04:00 & 07:00
The race starts on Sunday at 08:00 with programme starting at 06:30
BBC will also have coverage throughout the weekend, on Radio 5 Live and Highlights on TV. See your TV guide for programme times.
You can stay up to date with all the Formula 1 news by following me on Twitter @Drivin4Pleasure where I'll be commentating Live throughout the weekend.
PIRELLI ANNOUNCES NOMINATIONS FOR SPAIN, MONACO AND CANADA
Following the start of the 2014 Formula One season, Pirelli has nominated the tyres that will be used in the grands prix of Spain, Monaco and Canada.
In Spain, Pirelli will bring the P Zero Orange hard and P Zero White medium: the two hardest tyres in the range. The Montmelo circuit is well known for putting high-energy loads through the tyres, while ambient temperatures can also be notable at the Spanish Grand Prix. Tarmac roughness is quite high, and the tyres on the left-hand side are particularly stressed.
For Monaco and Canada, respectively a street circuit and a semi-permanent facility, the two softest tyres in the range will be used: P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Red Supersoft.
Monaco is the slowest circuit on the calendar, which is very twisty with smooth asphalt, and also relies heavily on mechanical grip from the tyres. This makes it the perfect place for the supersoft with its rapid warm-up to make its 2014 debut, in combination with the soft.
Canada is another circuit that is very reliant on mechanical grip, with the race frequently held in cool temperatures. As a result, the soft and supersoft is once again the ideal choice. Traction and braking are the main characteristics of the lap.
The tyre choices so far
P Zero Red P Zero Yellow P Zero White P Zero Orange
Australia Soft Medium
Malaysia Medium Hard
Bahrain Soft Medium
China Soft Medium
Spain Medium Hard
Monaco Supersoft Soft
Canada Supersoft Soft
