The fourth race of the season is likely to continue Mercedes’ dominance and an open battle for the remaining podium spot.
The Shanghai International Circuit will hold the last of the fly-away races this weekend, before F1 starts the European season. The track, on the F1 calendar for ten years now, is known for its long back straight, the longest of the season, and two very tricky, never-ending 270° corners. The front-left tyre therefore suffers most and is the limiting factor when it comes to strategy. Pirelli have brought the same tyre allocation as a fortnight ago. Weather could also play a role as rain is predicted over the weekend, again most likely to hit qualifying on Saturday.
After Mercedes’ domination of the season so far, the battle for victory is set to be contested between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton again. Both have good records here, Hamilton winning twice, as well as finishing on the podium in each of the last four races. Rosberg impressed at the track in 2010 and 2011 before taking his first Grand Prix victory in 2012. All world champions on the grid have won here.
The battle for a podium spot looks likely to be contested between five teams again, with very little seperating them. Force India lie second in the championship after getting on the podium in Bahrain, McLaren are confident and have gone well here over the last years, while the track should suit Red Bull and Ferrari better than Bahrain.
Nico Rosberg – Has done very well at the track in recent years, and is adamant to take the victory after losing out to Hamilton two weeks ago.
Lewis Hamilton – Will be looking to win his third Chinese GP and his third race of the season. He’s also been on pole at the track on three occasions.
Nico Hulkenberg – Is holding third place in the drivers’ championship. Led here last year, but has only scored a point at the track.
Fernando Alonso – Won here last year and in 2005, and started from pole position in his two championship years.
Jenson Button – Finished in each of the top five positions in the last five Chinese GP, including a victory in the wet in 2010.
Sebastian Vettel – Took Red Bull’s first victory five years ago, but hasn’t repeated the success at the track since, despite starting from pole three times.
Sergio Perez – Comes to China on the back of a third place in Bahrain, his fourth podium in F1.
Kimi Raikkonen – Winner here back in 2007. Could do with a strong result as he’s only scored seven points in 2014.
Esteban Gutierrez – Is fine after being rolled over by Maldonado in Bahrain. He also had a big crash at this track last year, taking his now-teammate Sutil out of the race.
Race data:
Circuit length: 5451 m
Race laps: 56
2013 race time: 1h36:26.945 (Fernando Alonso, Ferrari)
2013 pole position time: 1:34.484 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes)
Fastest lap: 1:32.238 (Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004)
DRS zones: Start/finish straight, the back straight
Tyres: Supersoft Soft Medium Hard
Timetable: (Local time; 6 hours ahead of Central European Time)
Practice 1: Friday, 10:00-11:30
Practice 2: Friday, 14:00-15:30
Practice 3: Saturday, 11:00-12:00
Qualifying: Saturday, 14:00-15:00
Race: Sunday, 15:00
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