China: The Pilots’ Perspective

Born from the sometimes fertile mind of Hermann Tilke, the circuit hosting the Chinese Grand Prix is inspired by the Chinese ideogram 上 (shang) used to write the name Shanghai, which means above the sea. Like China, a demographic and economic giant, the facilities of the Shanghai International Circuit are so oversized that, due to lack of attendance, a part of the stands, capable of accommodating more than 200,000 people, had to be closed: The circuit is unique because of its size. The width of the track leaves enough space for overtaking maneuvers and even the pits, traditionally cramped, are very spacious in Shanghai, explains Sebastian Vettel. Jenson Button echoes the German by mentioning incredible facilities and a superb and very modern circuit.

If the McLaren driver indicates that it is a circuit he particularly appreciates, Nico Rosberg assures that he loves the track for its long and unique corners, Nico Hülkenberg admitting for his part that the Chinese Grand Prix is not his favorite event even if he acknowledges that they have done a good job building impressive facilities and it is a fun track.

Pastor Maldonado agrees with the Force India driver: Shanghai is one of my favorite circuits, so I’m really looking forward to the race. It offers a nice combination of low and medium-speed corners and beautiful sequences that are fun to drive. The Venezuelan also mentions a demanding circuit because it is difficult to stay close to the car in front to gain an advantage in the long DRS zone.

The circuit indeed offers two different characteristics. Technical with endless corners in the first two sectors, it offers the main overtaking opportunities in a third sector where top speed should be prioritized: « The circuit is a mix of low and medium speed corners, with a very long straight and a tight corner at the end which offers a natural overtaking point, along with some complex sharp turns that you feel you never quite get right. It’s not too hard on the brakes, but you need a stable car under braking to be able to attack in all braking zones, and you need good traction to handle the slow corners well » analyzes Heikki Kovalainen. The Finn thus considers that the sequence of turns 11, 12, and 13 will probably be one of the keys to success in Shanghai: « You have to make sure to brake well at turn 11 to maintain as much speed as possible for turns 12 and 13 and approach the straight well. Doing this well gives you a chance to fight at the end of the straight. »

While Paul di Resta points out that the track has some unusual spots, notably the very long Turn 1 where you feel like it will never end, Jenson Button, on the other hand, thinks that there isn’t a corner that stands out in particular, which is a sign that the circuit’s architects have done a good job with the overall layout.

If Kamui Kobayashi confides that he really likes the Shanghai circuit because he appreciates the very high-speed corners, he also believes that the track should suit Sauber. An opinion shared by Sergio Pérez who, however, thinks that the long straight shouldn’t be the easiest part for the Swiss team.

Mark Webber also agrees with the Mexican’s opinion: « It will be interesting to see what impact the long straight will have on everyone’s strengths and weaknesses in terms of top speed, [but] the pace set by the rest of the circuit is something I really enjoy. »

For the race, Timo Glock believes it is difficult to make predictions because it can be quite cold and sometimes very humid in Shanghai. Jenson Button shares the German’s view and believes that even without the rain, the race could be interesting: Tire wear should be an important factor – last year, we saw a real difference between the compounds – so preparing well will be crucial.

On the French side, Shanghai will feel like a step into the unknown for the three French drivers, starting with Romain Grosjean: « I will be driving for the first time on the circuit. I watched some onboard lap videos and it looks quite nice. I hope it will suit the Lotus E20 well. » While Charles Pic is « really looking forward to driving in Shanghai, for real, for the first time », Jean-Eric Vergne notes that « it’s always exciting and nice to learn new tracks », adding that on the simulator, the circuit « looks quite nice. »

Some chronological landmarks:

2004: Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) wins both the qualifying and the race for the inaugural Grand Prix, which will stand as his last victory for the Prancing Horse.

2005: Fernando Alonso (Renault), already assured of the title, wins the season-closing race, which will also be the last Grand Prix—under their respective names—for Minardi, Jordan, and BAR, as well as for Sauber before it makes its return in 2010.

2006: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) achieves his 91st and last victory to date. It is also his 154th and last podium.

2007: As the world championship title seemed within reach, a feat for a rookie driver, Lewis Hamilton, with worn-out Bridgestone tires, stranded his McLaren in the narrow gravel trap while finally heading to the pits. The Briton left the victory in the hands of Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), before conceding much more than a victory in the following Grand Prix. In 2008, the McLaren driver would secure a valuable win in China on his way to the world championship title.

2009: After Toro Rosso, it’s Red Bull’s turn to make its mark in the F1 history books thanks to Sebastian Vettel. The German driver offers the Austrian team its first pole position and first victory in the premier category, while Mark Webber’s second place allows the team from Milton Keynes to achieve the first one-two finish in their history. The organization even plays the wrong anthem during the podium ceremony, broadcasting the British “God Save The Queen” while the team races under an Austrian license.

2010: After winning in Australia, Jenson Button secures a second victory for McLaren, achieving, alongside Lewis Hamilton, the first British one-two finish since the 1999 Austrian Grand Prix with Irvine and Coulthard. Russia also has its day of glory, with Vitaly Petrov scoring the first points for a Russian driver in Formula One in China.

2011: Lewis Hamilton becomes the first driver to win twice in China, after his victory in 2008. The Chinese Grand Prix is also, that year, the stage for a record number of overtakes since the Grand Prix held in Long Beach in 1983, a record that would later be shattered by the Turkish Grand Prix. With 23 drivers finishing, the Chinese race takes the record for the most drivers to finish, a record previously held by the 1952 British Grand Prix, before being surpassed by the 2011 European Grand Prix.