Chinese Grand Prix

The Shanghai International Circuit host of the Chinese Grand Prix is in the Jiading District of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. The Shanghai International Circuit is high on the favourites list to all fans. The circuit is tough on rubber with two long straights and 16 corners of varying character. Heavy braking, extreme lateral loads and high demands on traction all take their toll on driver and machine. Throw all that in with a weather that tends to have a mind of its own, you are guaranteed action and more than often, an unexpected result. No driver has ever won the Chinese GP more than once since it arrived within Formula One in 2004, with the circuit having seven different names on the winners list every year, no driver or team is guaranteed anything at the Shanghai Circuit, the only certainty is that Formula One fans are always guaranteed a great race.

2011 Season

Following a dominant display from Sebastian Vettel in Australia and Malaysia, the 23 year old world champion is clearly the favourite amongst all to continue this domination into China.

However, with Red Bull neglecting to run KERS in Australia due to reliability issues, and KERS failing on both cars in Malaysia, Red Bull might not have it all their own way in China.

Lewis Hamilton will be keen to put what he described as a shocking race behind him, quoting ‘I had a shocking race to be honest, I think it was absolutely shocking, but that’s racing.’ Following starting from 2nd on the grid and finishing 8th.

Hamilton’s team mate Jenson Button will be confident going into China following an impressive display in Malaysia starting from 4th to finishing 2nd on the podium.

Ferrari are more confident going into China following what they thought was going to be a damage limitation Malaysia GP. Fernando quoted Ferrari’s race pace as being ‘Much better’ and also said ‘I’m much more confident after today’s race – certainly we were a little bit disappointed, and yesterday we were also a little bit frustrated about the pace not being quick enough, but after today’s performance I think we approach the next grand prix with a different mood.’

Renault reminded us all of the step in performance they have taken this year with their radical R31, securing there second podium finish of the season.

With the long straight between turns 13 and 14, KERS will play a massive part in the Chinese GP, and with the unpredictable weather that has always greeted F1 teams’ and fans in the past seven visits, no body or team is heading into the Chinese GP with a certain win against there name. If the rain has anything to do with it, the race could be anyone’s for the taking, especially as only a selected few drivers have actually turned a wheel with the new Pirelli full wet tyre.

Overview

Architectural and design experts began planning and visiting the site between April and May 2003, and the area was transformed from swampland to an international racetrack in 18 months with a team of around 3000 engineers working around the clock. The circuit was designed as the race circuit for the new millennium. And the modern track, with its stunning architecture, has achieved its goal of becoming China’s gateway to the world of Formula One racing costing approximately $450 million. It was designed by Hermann Tilke and the new facility with its massive main grandstands, amazing media facilities and unparalleled team facilities set a new standard that other race circuits must now aspire to. The Main Grandstand with 29,000 seats provides a spectacular view of almost 80 percent of the circuit

The 5.451 km racing track is shaped like the Chinese character ‘shang’, which stands for ‘high’ or ‘above’. Other symbols represented in the architecture originate from Chinese history, such as the team buildings arranged like pavilions in a lake to resemble the ancient Yuyuan-Garden in Shanghai. Here, nature and technology are carefully used to create harmony between the elements.

The race is held over 56 laps where the cars will cover 305.066 km during this process. The lap record of 1:32:238 is held by Michael Schumacher who achieved this feat in 2004. The track has 16 corners and not only is the course remarkable for its change of acceleration and deceleration within different winding turns, making high demands on the driver as well as the car, but also for its high-speed straight between turns 13 and 14, spectators are guaranteed overtaking and action prior to arriving at turn 14.

History

The possibility of a Chinese Formula One race being held was started in the early 1990′s. The Chinese government had originally planned for the F1 race to be held at the Zhuhai International Circuit, located in the city of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, southern China. The Circuit was provisionally added to the 1999 F1 calendar, but the track failed to meet certain standards set by the FIA.

However, the Chinese government did not give up and eventually held their first ever F1 race in 2004 following the assistance from race organisers Macau Grand Prix.

In 2002, it was announced that the management of the Shanghai International circuit had signed a 7 year contract to host the Chinese Grand Prix starting from the 2004 season until the 2011 season

In November 2008 the BBC reported a senior race official, Qiu Weichang, as suggesting that following financial losses recorded, the tracks slot on the F1 calendar might be cancelled. Weichang said that the race’s future was under consideration, and a decision would be made the following year.

2010 came and went with no formal announcement of an extension to the initial 7 race deal announced in 2002. However, immediately after the 2010 Shanghai race, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone who manages the contracts with the various circuits, said of the 2011 calendar, ‘We are not dropping anything. It’s 20 races – getting ready for 25′

It was only in February 2011 that F1 and the organisers of the Chinese round of the word championship had reached a deal. Reasons for the delay appear to have been over the fee paid to F1 to host the race. After recording losses year after year, the organisers of the race refused to pay the fee required, with rumours suggesting the fee to be amongst the highest paid to host an F1 race. The new agreement means the Shanghai International Circuit will be host an F1 through to 2017.

Key Moments

2010

During Friday Practice 1, The Toro Rosso of Sébastien Buemi suffered a right-front upright failure, resulting in both front wheels flying off the car simultaneously approaching turn 14 where F1 cars speed exceeds 300 km/h.

2009

Sebastian Vettel Wins the 2009 Chinese GP handing Red Bull their first F1 race win. Mark Webber completed Red Bulls perfect race by finishing second making it a 1-2 for the team.

2007

Yet again, another wet race started to dry, and championship leader, Lewis Hamilton began to suffer from tyre wear. With his pit stop imminent, McLaren elected to keep Hamilton out and stick to the original strategy. By the time Hamilton pitted, his tyres were down to canvas. As he entered the pit lane, he failed to negotiate the sharp left-hander into the pits, beaching his car in the gravel.

2006

Fernando Alonso was leading the race by 20 seconds on a drying wet track when he pitted on lap 22 respectively. Fernando changed only his front tyres and kept his worn rears on. This decision saw his 20 second lead disintegrate and contributed to Michael Schumacher winning the race despite a late charge from Fernando Alonso in the closing stages.

2005

During the parade lap, Christijan Albers and Michael Schumacher’s cars collided. As a result, both were forced to start from the pits in their teams’ spare car, along with Narain Karthikeyan who also missed the start.

2004

Michael Schumacher finishes the race after starting from the pit lane, but out of a podium position and points-paying position for the first time of the season.