Red Bull wants to improve in qualifying in Shanghai
If Team Red Bull has fond memories of the Chinese Grand Prix, where they claimed their first victory in 2009, they approach the 2012 edition aware of their strengths and weaknesses and determined to improve in the qualifying exercise, having secured three consecutive pole positions in China.
Red Bull approached the 2012 season as the designated and rightful favorite. However, the RB8 is slow to prove itself, and the Austrian team must settle for the role of runner-up in the constructors’ standings while Mark Webber is their best-ranked driver, occupying 4th place in the drivers’ championship. Determined to take the Red Bull by the horns, the Milton Keynes team will start their Chinese weekend by putting their eggs in different baskets: “We have shown good race pace, but we know we need to improve in qualifying. To evaluate our latest developments, we will run two different specifications of the RB8 on Friday. Based on the feedback and preferences of each driver, Mark will assess an evolution of the specification adopted for Malaysia, while Sebastian will run with the pre-season specification. We will then compare the results,” says Adrian Newey.
In China, Red Bull will return to a circuit that was the scene of its first victory as a constructor, in the queen of motorsport categories: « I have had some good races here in the past, we achieved a great result in 2009 when we won our first victory and also in 2011, finishing second » recalls Sebastian Vettel before hoping that the team can « achieve a strong result and score a few more points. »
Although he has never won on the Chinese circuit, Mark Webber still has good memories there: « Shanghai is a track where I’ve done quite well in the past. I have yet to win there, but I’ve achieved some memorable podiums, notably in extreme conditions, in 2009, as well as my third place after starting 18th on the grid [last year]. I expect the race to be exciting this year but, clearly, I want to qualify in a better position, he sets as his goal.
About the circuit, Sebastian Vettel highlights the grandeur – if not the excessiveness – of the Shanghai circuit: « The circuit is unique because of its size. The width of the track provides enough space for overtaking maneuvers, and there are very large run-off areas. Even the pit lanes, traditionally cramped, are very spacious in Shanghai. »
But if the circuit will be favorable to overtaking, Mark Webber also believes that it will reveal each individual’s strengths and weaknesses: « In general, it’s cool, so it’s very different from Malaysia. It will be interesting to see the 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. »
