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. This is also the first race where Pirelli will skip a softness increment in tires offered: medium, soft, and then jumping to the ultrasoft.
Toro Rosso Honda enter the weekend buoyed by Pierre Gasly’s spectacular 4th place drive in Bahrain where the young Frenchman made keeping fast cars at bay look easy. This weekend we can expect that both cars will be running the updated aero package Gasly had in Bahrain. While one result does not make a trend, we must now consider that Toro Rosso Honda can have at least one car in Q3 and fighting for good points.
Elsewhere on the grid, Mercedes is feeling the pressure from Ferrari as the Maranello-based squad has bested the Silver Arrows in the first two grands prix, arguably with a slower car. We can expect Mercedes to be on point this weekend. Red Bull will be looking for a good result after a double DNF left them reeling in Bahrain. They need reliability and for VER to control himself. Haas has proven that their pace is genuine with MAG driving a solid points-paying race in Bahrain. We can expect both Haas cars in Q3 and a double points finish. Renault continues to look solid and should be set for a double points finish as well. McLaren will be battling Renault fiercely for those last points-paying positions as their season has not started how they planned. Force India’s new spot in the pecking order should be right on McLaren’s tail. Kudos to Sauber with ERI driving a stellar race in Bahrain. We can expect them to be toward the bottom, but no longer last. Williams has hit rock bottom and that appears set to continue in China.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Thursday, April 12 09:55 PM – ESPN3
Practice 2 – Friday, April 13 1:55 AM – ESPN3
Practice 3 – Friday, April 13 11:00 PM –
ESPNEWS
Qualifying – Saturday, April 14 1:55 AM – ESPN2
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 *
2018 tyres: Medium, Soft, Ultrasoft (2017: Medium, Soft, Supersoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2017 RESULTS:
Race laps: 56
Pole sitter: Lewis Hamilton, 1:31.678
Fast race lap: 1:35.378
Podium:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
CURRENT
STANDINGS:
Constructors
1. Scuderia Ferrari, 65
2. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 55
3. McLaren Renault, 22
4. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 20
5. Renault Sport F1, 15
6. Toro Rosso, 12
7. Haas, 10
8. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 2
9. Force India, 1
Drivers
1. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 50
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 33
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 22
4. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 16
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 15
6. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 14
7. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso Honda, 12
8. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 12
9. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 10
10. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 8
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