Formula 1 heads to the Shanghai International Circuit this weekend for the Chinese Grand Prix. The circuit is known for its long back straight, the longest of any F1 circuit, and turns with changing radii such as Turn 1 which starts wide and becomes sharp as the track turns 270 degrees.
McLaren Honda are expecting a tough weekend even though Australia went better than most pundits and team members predicted it would. Shanghai International Circuit’s long back straight will exploit the weakness of their package which is currently down on power while they wait for an upgraded engine not due for about two months. Unfortunately, it’s hard to imagine anything but a poor finish if the weather remains dry.
Elsewhere on the grid, this will be a telling race as we hope to learn whether Ferrari’s challenge to Mercedes was a one-off or something that can be duplicated. We should also expect Red Bull to bring a raft of upgrades as they try to close the gap that was apparent both during testing and in Australia. Many eyes will be on the Haas F1 team as the car showed impressive pace in Australia with Romain Grosjean qualifying P6 and Kevin Magnussen on a fast lap before a mistake in sector 3 knocked him back in the order (both cars would suffer issues during the race). Meanwhile, Force India, Williams, and Torro Rosso are set to span the midfield.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1: Thursday April 6th, 10PM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2: Friday April 7th, 2AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3: Saturday April 8th, 12AM,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying: Saturday April 8th, 3AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Race: Sunday April 9th, 1:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
CIRCUIT
DATA
Lap data
Lap length: 5.451km (3.387 miles)
Race laps: 56
Race distance: 305.066km (189.559 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’32.238 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
Fastest lap: 1’32.238 (Michael Schumacher, 2004, race)
Maximum speed: 327kph (203.188 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and longest straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 265m
Car performance
Full throttle: 56%
Longest flat-out section: 1397m
Downforce level: High
Fuel use per lap: 1.71kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.051s
*Strategy *
2017 prime tyre: Medium & Soft (2016: Medium)
2017 option tyre: Supersoft (2016: Soft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2016 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS:
Race laps: 56
Pole sitter: Nico Rosberg, 1:35.402
Fast race lap: 1:39.824
Podium:
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
3. Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull
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