Just six months after Formula One's last visit to China, the sport'scalendar returns to Shanghai this week for Round Three of the 2009 FIAFormula One World Championship. Earlier in the season than its traditionalautumn date, this year's Chinese Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 19April at the Shanghai International Circuit, located 40kms from the city.
The spectacular venue which hosts the 5.451km (3.387 mile) race track wasdesigned by renowned Formula One architect Hermann Tilke and hosted itsfirst Grand Prix in September 2004. The inaugural race was dominated byBrawn GP's current drivers Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button who finishedfirst and second respectively.
The circuit layout follows the shape of the Chinese character 'shang'and is technically challenging with a combination of straights, includingthe long 1.1km back straight, and a range of differing speed corners fromthe long and tightening turns one to three to the fast left-right chicane atturns seven and eight. The layout of the circuit offers excellent overtakingopportunities which combined with unpredictable weather frequently createsan exciting race.
ROSS BRAWN, TEAM PRINCIPAL
Q. Following such an exciting start to the season, what has been the focusfor the team during the short break?
"It has been an incredible five weeks for the Brawn GP team which began withthe first running of our new car at Silverstone on 6 March and concludedwith the two successive victories in Australia and Malaysia.Without doubt it has been an intense and hard-working period for everyoneinvolved with the team and they deserve all credit for their commitment. Theshort break between the two sets of back-to-back flyaway races has been awelcome opportunity for the team to regroup at the factory in Brackley, toassess our performance and to plan ahead for the forthcoming races. Whilstthere have been no developments to the car, we have taken the opportunity toaddress a few small issues which arose over the first two races and we arein good shape for the next race in China. We are expecting temperatures willbe cooler and less humid this year with the race taking place six monthsearlier. Therefore as was the case in Malaysia, we will need to be preparedfor the unexpected as rain has played its part in recent races at theShanghai International Circuit."
JENSON BUTTONQ. What are your thoughts ahead of the third race of the season in China?
"After the excitement of the first two races, it has been great to have thechance to relax and reflect for a few days since the dramatic race inMalaysia. I am understandably delighted with how our season has begunhowever we are only two races in and everyone at the team is aware that ourcompetitors will not stand still. We fully expect a tough fight from here ifwe want to continue our early successes. Looking ahead to next weekend, theShanghai International Circuit is an enjoyable one for the drivers and agood technical challenge to find the right set-up. I particularly enjoy thehigh-speed sections and the overtaking opportunities going into the tightright-hander at turn five and at the end of the back straight."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
Q. How do you expect the BGP 001 to perform around the ShanghaiInternational Circuit?
"It seems strange to be returning to China already but I'm looking forwardto the weekend as Shanghai is an impressive facility and the circuitprovides an interesting challenge for the drivers. The track holds some goodmemories for me as I won the first race here in 2004.With the car that we have this year, it is so exciting to be able to returnwith the opportunity to compete at the front again. The BGP 001 has gonewell at the two very different race tracks in Australia and Malaysia so itwill be interesting to see how the car performs in Shanghai which is quite aunique circuit. You need to have a very good aerodynamic balance combinedwith a stable car and good straightline speed to take advantage of the longstraights."
Shanghai International Circuit Stats
Circuit Length: 5.451km Race Distance: 305.066km Number of Laps: 56
Full Throttle: 55% Brake Wear: Medium Tyre Compounds: Super Soft / Medium Downforce Level: Medium 7/10 Tyre Usage: Medium Average Speed: 203kph (126mph)
Race Weekend Schedule (all times are local)
Friday 17 AprilPractice 1: 1000 - 1130 Practice 2: 1400 - 1530
Saturday 18 AprilPractice 3: 1100 - 1200 Qualifying: 1400 - 1500
Sunday 19 AprilRace: 1500
