RACE
Round 3 – Chinese Grand Prix – April 15-17
D GUIDE www.speedcafe.com
SHANGHAI
C I N A P DON’T r e b b e W s say
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Race Guide The opening corners were hectic in Malaysia, but again Sebastian Vettel emerged at the head of the pack.
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Round 3 – China
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Race Preview
Round 3 – China
INTRODUCTION RACE GUIDE
SHANGHAI
EVENT 2 – Clipsal 500, Adelaide – March 17-20
www.speedcafe.com
EDITOR: Stefan Bartholomaeus PRODUCTION: Stefan Bartholomaeus SALES/MARKETING: Leisa Emberson IMAGES: Force India F1 Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes GUEST COLUMNIST: Greg Rust PARTNERS: Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Jack Daniel’s, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek, Vodafone, HDT, Norton 360
The loyalty factor SEVENTY-THREE Grand Prix starts isn’t usually a statistic to be celebrated. Last weekend however, Lewis Hamilton reached a unique milestone with the number. Of all the drivers to race exclusively for one team in Formula One, Hamilton now tops the list of most starts. The record had been held for 43 years by the late Jim Clark, whose association with Lotus, which yielded three world championships in just seven full seasons, remains legendary. While Hamilton’s record is distorted somewhat by the number of races in each modern-day season, it’s doubtlessly a moment for reflection. The landmark comes at a nice time for McLaren, which has had to downplay rumours in recent weeks that Hamilton was being courted by flavour of the month Red Bull Racing. Hamilton’s long-held links with McLaren and engine supplier Mercedes have been well documented. When FIA president Jean Todt spoke to Speedcafe.com last month, one of the many ideas that he discussed was finding ways to increase the ‘brand’ of each driver. While the president floated the concept of each driver carrying the same, more prominent, car number throughout his career, Hamilton’s solution of staying with the same team is certainly more effective! Hamilton is McLaren in the same way that Sebastian Vettel is Red Bull. Loyalties are good for the drivers, good for the teams, and good for Formula One. Congratulations, Lewis.
Green means go! STEFAN BARTHOLOMAEUS Journalist, Speedcafe.com Editor, Speedcafe Race Guides
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Race Guide
COVER STORY
Don’t Panic says Webber Despite facing a significant points deficit to Sebastian Vettel after just two races, Mark Webber believes things could be worse MARK WEBBER says there’s no need to panic over his earlyseason form relative to teammate Sebastian Vettel. The 23-year-old German has taken two pole positions and two victories from the first two races, while Webber battled to fifth and fourth place finishes in Australia and Malaysia respectively. The results see the Australian fourth in the championship standings, 28 points behind runaway leader Vettel, heading into this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix. “I have been around long enough to understand that I have had some very good seasons in the last few years, and
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people always make the natural comparison between your teammates and all that sort of stuff,” said Webber after arriving in Shanghai.. “Obviously Seb is driving really, really well, and he is on top of a lot of things at the moment,” “But for me the first race wasn’t great, and Malaysia was a much, much more positive weekend. Seb was coming (up) to my pace at the end (of qualifying) - he did a great job in Q3 as we’ve often seen from him. “He is very strong in qualifying and the race was disappointing that I didn’t have a chance to look at the front of the Grand Prix. So it could be a lot worse than it is at the moment.”
While Webber’s Sepang race was on the back-foot early due to a KERS failure, he appeared to struggle with the new Pirelli tyres at Albert Park. A veteran of 161 Grands Prix, the 34-year-old says that competing at the top level of the sport requires constant adaptation to change. “We are learning a lot still about the category,” he said. “As a driver you have still to adapt to different things and learn how you get more out of things and that’s what I’ve got to do. “ I think if I was much younger I would be panicking but I’m not panicking at all. I’ve been around the block too many times.”
Round 3 – China
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Race Guide
Di Resta deliver y
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Event 12 – Symmons Plains
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Race Guide
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Round 3 – China
TRACK DETAILS
THE SHANGHAI circuit layout, resembling the Chinese character Shang or ‘high’ from an overhead view, has a mix of corners, from tight hairpins, flowing curves, radial turns and two straights. The constant changes of direction mean engine mapping is extremely important to give the drive out of the corners. Turns 12 and 13, the radial corner that leads onto the longest straight on the circuit, demand particular attention. Shanghai has one of the longest straights on the Formula One calendar. Gear ratios are therefore carefully calculated to trade off acceleration and maximum speed taking account of aero set-up, engine power, weather, KERS and DRS usage. Short ratios favour ac-
celeration; a longer top gear ratio permits higher maximum speed. Engineers will therefore work to create a car and engine set-up that deals with all the circumstances of qualifying and the race aiming to optimise the overall performance. Key technical stats: % at max rev limit: 50% Fuel consumption: Medium Downforce level: Medium – high Average speed: 206kph Highest speed: 308kph
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Round Round32–– China Malaysia
OPINION by GREG RUST
Tyres are a style thing
T
he new Pirelli tyres were always going to be the talking point of the season’s opening races. We’ve seen two very different circumstances to test them straight up - a cooler climate in Austalia on a street circuit, and then a hot permanent venue in Malaysia. The interesting thing is that the races unfold strategically very differently now. Last year we were looking at one-stop races, and now we’re seeing three or even four stops, like we saw with Mark in Malaysia. So the way the game shakes out has changed.
recent years to suit. So I think at the moment, the really intriguing thing is who is able to maximise the tyre life better than others. That’s an emerging story. The other emerging story is where Ferrari are at in their chase of Red Bull and McLaren. McLaren have really stepped it up massively compared to what we were anticipating in Australia, and its is going to be a really good battle, Red Bull vs McLaren, this weekend. Ferrari admit they’re on the back-foot, and as part of our show this weekend, one of the things we’re chasing is where are Ferrari at in their development fight-back. Having back-to-back races will probably hurt Ferrari, but by the same token, the fact that Bahrain was postponed was perhaps a blessing for them. I have no doubt that, back in Italy, they have been going flat chat with the development to try and overcome this. Despite the penalty for (Fernando) Alonso, the fact is both he and Massa raced reasonably well in Malaysia. Their race pace didn’t look that bad, but in qualifying terms they’re just not on it with the other guys at the moment. That’s something they have to overcome.
I think the most important thing that has emerged from the first couple of races is that driving style is having a big impact on the outcome. Some of the drivers appear to have their head around how to manage the tyres, and how to squeeze them a bit longer than others.
But we saw in 2010 when Fernando made that bold statement after Silverstone that he was still in the game... he knew the developments that were in the pipeline at Ferrari, and he knew they would be able to get themselves back into the situation where they were in the mix.
The battle between Mark Webber and Nick Heidfeld towards the end in Malaysia was a great example. Heidfeld had been on the tyres longer, but they both got to the ‘cliff’, where the tyre drops off massively, at the same time, and part of that was because Mark was chasing so hard. The point is that Nick was able to preserve them.
We absolutely cannot underestimate Fernando. He is perhaps misinterpreted at times, but he is a really calculated racer. He is clearly doing a good job at motivating the troops there, and he’s patient enough to know that they’ll get there eventually.
Clearly Sergio Perez was able to do a similar thing in Australia as well in the Sauber. Jenson Button, if you look at the way his race in Malaysia unfolded, when he jumped on the hard tyre he was dynamite. He’s another one who’s a noted smooth driver. They’re already talking about Hamilton tempering the slightly more aggressive style we’ve seen from him in
It’s shaping as another fascinating season.
F1 TV TIMES Saturday; Qualifying - 5:00-6:30pm (One HD) Sunday; Race - 4:00-7:00pm (One HD), 11:30pm-1:40am (Ten). Check local guides for details
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Race Guide
THE BAG MAN
THE N A M G A B SPEEDCAFE.COM’S
AN’S SAY
K FORM – THE BAGM
AC RECENT FORM - TR
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Round Round32–– China Malaysia
RED BULL RACING SEBASTIAN VETTEL “It will be a tough weekend. We have seen the last two events here that the weather can play a very important role, so we will see what happens.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: German DoB: 03/07/1987 Wins: 12
HUN
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ITA
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JAP
KOR
BRA
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3
15
4
2
1
DNF
1
1
1
1
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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-
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4
9
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MARK WEBBER “For me the first race wasn’t great, and Malaysia was a much, much more positive weekend. As a driver you have still to adapt to different things and learn how you get more out of things and that’s what I’ve got to do.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Australian DoB: 27/08/1976 Wins: 6
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2
6
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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Sebastian Vettel is gunning for his fifth consecutive victory this weekend - a streak stretching back to Korea last year. Ominously for his opposition, if not for an engine failure while leading in Korea last October, the 23-year-old would be looking for win number seven on the trot. Adrian Newey’s RB7 simply has more downforce than its rivals, and Vettel has done an outstanding job of understanding the Pirelli tyre. Team-mate Webber must have been relieved with his speed in Sepang after his Albert Park nightmare, and should make his first podium visit of the year this weekend baring unforseen circumstances. KERS remains a reliability concern, with Newey refusing to compromise the car’s aerodynamics to fit the system comfortably. The team is favoured to go 1-2 in China regardless, repeating its achievment on the day of its maiden Formula One win at this venue in 2009.
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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10
7
8
10
14
2
8
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Race Guide
McLAREN MERCEDES LEWIS HAMILTON “It’s always best to put a disappointing weekend behind you, and, as always, I’ll make a positive of the experience in Malaysia and learn from it. With China only a few days away, it’s the best possible way to move on.”
Nat: British DoB: 07/01/1985 Wins: 14
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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JAP
KOR
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ABU
AUS
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1
DNF
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5
2
4
2
2
8
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
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2009
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-
-
-
-
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6
2
JENSON BUTTON “Off the back of two successive podium finishes for the team, we’re not only hopeful of maintaining our finishing record, but of improving it too. We’ve made no secret of our desire to take the fight to Red Bull.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: British DoB: 19/01/1980 Wins: 9
HUN
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ITA
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KOR
BRA
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AUS
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8
DNF
2
4
4
12
5
3
6
2
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
2002
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2004
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2006
2007
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2009
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2
8
4
5
16
3
1
16
THE BAGMAN’S SAY If McLaren impressed with its race pace in Melbourne, then it astounded with its competitiveness in qualifying at Sepang. Both Hamilton and Button were genuine contenders for pole, and should have filled second and third in the race. While Hamilton was frustrated with his team’s strategy calls in Malaysia that saw him battle badly in the closing laps, many have been left pointing at the Briton’s reputation for chewing tyres. No matter the reason, the team will again evaluate the revised floor and exhaust set-up it ran on Friday in Sepang before deciding on its race package. The latest developments, and its bullet-proof KERS system, could see the Vodafone entries push Vettel all the way on Sunday - completing a remarkable turnaround from the team’s well documented winter woes.
Round 3 – China
FERRARI FERNANDO ALONSO “Our aim in this grand prix will be similar to the one in Malaysia, which means to make the best of qualifying and try to exploit any opportunity that comes our way during the race.”
Nat: Spanish DoB: 29/07/1981 Wins: 26
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
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AUS
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2
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1
1
3
1
3
7
4
6
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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2007
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-
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4
1
2
2
4
9
4
FELIPE MASSA “We have a few new components here but nothing major, although I hope that even small updates will bring us a little improvement compared to the last race, but it doesn’t mean we will have a different car, definitely not.” Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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4 4 3 Recent Shanghai Form
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Having updated its windtunnel from 50 to 60 percent scale last year, Ferrari appears to have struggled with a tunnel-to-track correlation issue with its F150th Italia. Alonso’s best in qualifying at Sepang was a full second away from Vettel’s RB7, and only good enough for the third row of the grid. A repeat of that performance will make challenging for the win difficult this weekend, but the gritty Spaniard should never be underestimated. At the time of his incident with Hamilton, Alonso looked likely to end up on the podium in Malaysia such was the race-pace of the Ferrari. A new front-wing should help this weekend, but may not be enough to improve in light of the developments at McLaren and Renault.
Nat: Brazilian DoB: 25/04/1976 Wins: 11
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
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8
DNF
3
15
10
7
5
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Race Guide
MERCEDES MICHAEL SCHUMACHER “We know that we have little time to build after the race in Malaysia but we are learning with every lap that we race, so we are heading there with an open mind and full of ambition to do better than in the opening races. “
Nat: German DoB: 03/01/1969 Wins: 91
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
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11
7
9
13
6
4
7
DNF
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9
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
2002
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-
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12
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1
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-
10
NICO ROSBERG “We could have qualified higher in Malaysia so we know that more performance is there, when every system is operating correctly on the car. Hopefully we can improve further and make that happen in China. We are working on it very hard.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: German DoB: 27/06/1985 Wins: 0
HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
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KOR
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ABU
AUS
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DNF
6
5
5
17
DNF
6
4
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12
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
2002
2003
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2005
2006
2007
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2009
2010
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-
-
-
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11
16
16
15
3
18
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Mercedes continues to insists that its car is fundamentally good, and simply requires fine-tuning in order to extract the potential. Whatever the case, the silver machines appeared to go backwards in Sepang, and will not be sporting major upgrade packages in China. Nico Rosberg dragged a points scoring finish out of the W02 last weekend despite the issues, and could do so again in Shanghai. The young German fought for the victory in China last year - a win that would have put him in the championship lead. Michael Schumacher has just missed Q3 for both races so far this year, and will be desperate to at least keep his team-mate in sight. He returns to the scene of his 2010 nightmare, possibly his worst ever performance in Formula One, with little to show for his recent efforts.
Round 1 – Australia
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Race Guide
RENAULT NICK HEIDFELD
“We had a good upgrade in Sepang, and our package this weekend in Shanghai is not as big. But I think it’s a circuit where our car will go well because we have good top speed, which should pay off down the long back straight. “ Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: German DoB: 10/05/1977 Wins: 0
HUN
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ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
-
-
-
DNF
8
9
17
11
12
3
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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-
13
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7
7
5
12
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VITALY PETROV “It’s not my favourite track, but I obviously have some good memories because I scored my first points there last year. As we saw in Malaysia, you really don’t know what to expect from the tyres and you also have to remember that the DRS will probably have a big impact in China, as it did in Sepang.
Nat: Russian DoB: 08/09/1984 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
BEL
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5 9 13 Recent Shanghai Form
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KOR
BRA
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11
DNF
DNF
16
6
3
17
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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Renault will look to build on its strong start to the season in Shanghai this weekend as it brings the second half of a significant update package that it debuted in Sepang. In addition to new aero pieces, the team says it has further developed its starting technique since last weekend, where drivers Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov shot from the third and fourth rows of the grid respectively to challenge front-row starter Lewis Hamilton at the first corner. Having shared the podium with Red Bull and McLaren in the opening two races, the black-and-gold team sits fourth in the constructors championship, just six points behind Ferrari. While the radical design of the R31 has clearly payed off, the team’s ability to match the development pace of its more highly funded rivals remains a question mark. Heidfeld bounced back from his awkward Melbourne weekend with a sterling drive at Sepang, and should again feature in the top five in China. Petrov won’t be far behind.
Round 3 – China
WILLIAMS RUBENS BARRICHELLO “We have an upgrade to the car this weekend which I hope will improve our performance. It hasn’t been a good start to the season for us as we are yet to finish a race, but I’m hoping the upgrade will help us to move forward.”
Nat: Brazilian DoB: 23/05/1972 Wins: 11
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
BEL
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KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
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10
DNF
10
6
9
7
14
12
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Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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12
6
15
11
4
12
PASTOR MALDONADO “China is a completely new track for me so I need to learn the layout as well as work very hard with the team to solve the problems we had in Malaysia. I know there is a very short time between races, but I think we have the potential to improve and to become more competitive.”
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Yet to make Q3 or get either car to half-distance in a race, Williams has had a shocking start to its 2011 season. In Melbourne it was the team’s tricky new ‘low-line’ gearbox that proved the Achilles Heal, while Barrichello and Maldonado succumbed to an hydraulics failure and a misfiring Cosworth respectively in Sepang. Unfortunately for the engine manufacturer, the three Cosworth powered teams are the only three not to have scored points so far in 2011. The only thing worse than Williams’ reliability has been its speed - with the experienced Barrichello managing no better than 15th in Sepang. While bringing some aerodynamic improvements to Shanghai, finishing must be the first priority.
Nat: Venezuelan DoB: 09/03/1985 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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Race Guide
FORCE INDIA ADRIAN SUTIL “The track has unique corners. There are different lines you can take, so there are many ways to approach a lap. The weather can a little bit tricky with cold and sometimes wet conditions, but in general it is a grand prix I like..”
Nat: German DoB: 11/01/1983 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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ABU
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5
16
9
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12
13
9
11
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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DNF
DNF
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11
PAUL DI RESTA “It is quite a technical track and one that I am keen to experience more as I had a small taste of it last year. It will be interesting to see how the DRS activation works with the rear wing in Shanghai because if it’s going to work anywhere that’s where it will be because it has a very long straight.”
Nat: British DoB: 16/04/1986 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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Recent Shanghai Form
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10
2001
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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Paul di Resta, who turns 25 on the Saturday of this year’s Chinese Grand Prix, has been one of the feel-good stories of the new season, taking points finish in his first two races in the championship. The reigning DTM champion has out-qualified his highly experienced team-mate Adrian Sutil in both Australia and Malaysia, before going on to a pair of 10th place finishes. Sutil has also scored points with ninth in Australia, and will be very keen to re-establish his authority within the team this weekend. In Sepang, the German continued his unfortunate habit of getting involved in first-lap biffo, with the resulting broken front-wing ending his chances of more points. Without a major upgrade package, either driver making Q3 for the first time this year might be a bit much to ask. The car’s strong top speed should come in handy on Shanghai’s 1.2 km back-straight, though.
Round 1 – Australia
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Race Guide
SAUBER KAMUI KOBAYASHI “China is a very big country and it is close to Japan. I like the food there, so I always enjoy going there and find it interesting. The circuit is very big and it is a shame it is so far away from the centre of Shanghai. “ Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Japanese DoB: 13/09/1986 Wins: 0
HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
9
8
DNF
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7
8
10
14
DSQ
7
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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SERGIO PEREZ “I think we have a good car. It is quick enough to aim for points and it was reliable. I hope we can keep this consistency and do more good races.” Nat: Mexican DoB: 26/01/1990 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Sauber should again pressure the top 10 this weekend after confirming its tyre-friendly trait in Sepang. Kamui Kobayashi finished seventh in the Malaysian Grand Prix after undertaking a two-stop strategy. The Japanese was able to get through the race with one, or in some cases two, stops less than his fellow points scoring rivals, despite driving aggressively in several wheel-towheel dices with the likes of Mark Webber and Michael Schumacher. As in Australia, the Sauber’s exhibited perfect reliability at Sepang - with Perez’s failure to finish the result of being hit by debris, believed to be a ballast box, flicked up by Jaime Alguesuari’s Toro Rosso. Both Sauber drivers could score points this weekend, while Kobayashi should make his third Q3 session from three attempts this season.
Round 3 – China
TORO ROSSO SEBASTIEN BUEMI “In Malaysia I gave it my best shot but it was not enough to get a reward for the work. I felt we could have got the Force Indias and at least finished ninth. We will try again in Shanghai.”
Nat: Swiss DoB: 31/10/1988 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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KOR
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ABU
AUS
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12
12
11
14
10
DNF
13
15
8
13
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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JAIME ALGUESUARI “I don’t really understand what happened in Malaysia - we were slow and the tyre degradation was very high. Given the difficulties I had, I feel that finishing the race was in itself an achievement.” Recent Grand Prix Form
THE BAGMAN’S SAY The Italian squad threw away a potential points scoring finish in Malaysia due to a lack of driver discipline and poor strategy. A strong start had seen Sebastian Buemi on course for either a ninth or tenths place result, but a 10 second stop-go penalty, due to a severe breach of the pit lane speed limit, saw him come home just 13th. Team-mate Alguesuari has even more to be concerned about heading into the Chinese Grand Prix, after struggling to get to grips with the Pirelli tyres - finishing behind Buemi despite the Swiss driver’s penalty. With only minor aerodynamic updates being brought to China, repeating Buemi’s Albert Park Q3 berth looks unlikely.
Nat: Spanish DoB: 23/03/1990 Wins: 0
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KOR
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ABU
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MAL
DNF
13
15
12
11
11
11
9
11
14
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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Race Guide
LOTUS HEIKKI KOVALAINEN “I think that if we can repeat our performance in the race in Malaysia then it means we can repeat it anywhere in the world. China is similar to Malaysia in that it’s a modern circuit and it has some pretty heavy braking zones.”
Nat: Finnish DoB: 19/10/1981 Wins: 1
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
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ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
14
16
18
16
12
13
18
17
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15
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
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14
JARNO TRULLI “China is one of those tracks where I have never been too lucky, so it’s always a bit of a challenge. Despite that, we go there in a good position after getting pretty much the best out of the car in Malaysia.”
Nat: Italian DoB: 13/07/1974 Wins: 1
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
BEL
ITA
15 19 DNF Recent Shanghai Form
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
DNF
13
DNF
19
21
13
DNF
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
15
DNF
13
DNF
DNF
DNF
26
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Lotus appeared to take a big step forward in Sepang - clearly revelling in the warmer temperatures compared to those experienced in Spain’s winter testing and Australia’s season opener. While the teams now looks set to come good on its promise of pushing the midfielders this season, reliability remains a concern, after Trulli retired from the Malaysian race with a clutch problem, and Kovalainen bowed out in Australia with a water leak. The cars will race in Shanghai in a similar specification to Melbourne, with a blown diffuser update pencilled in for Spain. In the meantime, the goal will be to have both cars finish in China, hopefully not too far away from the established runners.
Round 1 – Australia
25
Race Guide
HRT NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN “I like the Shanghai International Circuit, it’s a fast, challenging track. The conditions are very different to Malaysia, so we must try and adapt the F111 to the track and try and get the most out of the new package. Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Indian DoB: 14/01/1977 Wins: 0
HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
DNQ
DNF
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
DNF
-
-
-
-
-
VITANTONIO LIUZZI “After the weekend in Malaysia we are lot more confident heading into this race. We are confident the team will work better, we’ve got a lot more data to work on and have a better idea of what the car needs. ”
Nat: Italian DoB: 08/06/1981 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
13
10
12
DNF
DNF
6
DNF
DNF
DNQ
DNF
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
-
10
6
-
-
DNF
28
THE BAGMAN’S SAY The HRT almost looked like a proper Formula One team in Malaysia, as its new frontwing provided the necessary improvement to qualify within 107% of Sebastian Vettel’s Q1 best. The fact that Liuzzi’s qualifying time was just 0.5s away from D’Ambrosio’s best effort in the Virgin will have given the Italian enormous heart, as he continues to adjust to life at the bottom end of the Formula One food chain. While neither Karthikeyan or Liuzzi were able to finish the Malaysian Grand Prix, the team will have benefited enormously from the 14 and 46 laps the drivers completed respectively. Getting a car home in Shanghai would still be a surprise, but getting onto the grid should now be assumed.
Round 3 – China
VIRGIN TIMO GLOCK “I was pleased with our weekend in Malaysia and while we’re waiting for these steps to move us forward, we must try to maintain the small signs of good progress we are showing at the races.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: German DoB: 18/03/1982 Wins: 0
HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
16
18
17
DNF
14
DNF
20
DNF
DNF
16
Recent Shanghai Form 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
15
-
-
-
7
7
DNS
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Virgin Racing struggled for speed as expected in Malaysia, slipping further away from Team Lotus and back towards the HRT. There is no reason to suggest things will improve in China, with no new parts expected. Glock once again drove his heart out in Sepang, briefly holding off Trulli’s Lotus in the early stages, and again after the first pitstops. GP2 graduate D’Ambrosio continues to progress quietly, qualifying just 0.4s behind Glock in Malaysia. Finishing will be the Belgian’s goal this weekend, after contact with a kerb ended his Malaysian race 15 laps early.
JEROME D’AMBROSIO “After Australia and Malaysia, I can say that I have already learned a lot and this is going to help me keep focused for the next races. I am very pleased with how I have started the season and I hope to continue like this.” Recent Grand Prix Form HUN
BEL
ITA
Recent Shanghai Form
Nat: Belgian DoB: 27/12/1985 Wins: 0
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
AUS
MAL
-
-
-
-
-
14
DNF
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
27 29
Race Guide
22
Round 3 – China
PAST CHINESE GP WINNERS 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
Jenson Button Sebastian Vettel Lewis Hamilton Kimi Raikkonen Michael Schumacher Fernando Alonso Rubens Barrichello
McLaren-Mercedes Red Bull-Renault McLaren-Mercedes Ferrari Ferrari Renault Ferrari
Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai
29 31
Race Guide
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS WORLD DRIVERS” CHAMPIONSHIP no
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 - - - - -
Driver Sebastian Vettel Jenson Button Lewis Hamilton Mark Webber Fernando Alonso Felipe Massa Nick Heidfeld Vitaly Petrov Kamui Kobayashi Sébastien Buemi Adrian Sutil Michael Schumacher Paul di Resta Jaime Alguersuari Nico Rosberg Jarno Trulli Heikki Kovalainen Jérôme D’Ambrosio Timo Glock Sergio Perez Mendoza Rubens Barrichello Pastor Maldonado Vitantonio Liuzzi Narain Karthikeyan
Nat DEU GBR GBR AUS ESP BRA DEU RUS JPN CHE DEU DEU GBR ESP DEU ITA FIN BEL DEU MEX BRA VEN ITA IND
Car Red Bull McLaren McLaren Red Bull Ferrari Ferrari Renault Renault Sauber Toro Rosso Force India Mercedes Force India Toro Rosso Mercedes Lotus Lotus Virgin Virgin Sauber Williams Williams HRT HRT
Points 50 26 22 22 20 16 15 15 6 4 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 -
WORLD CONSTUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 - -
32
Constructor Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Lotus Renault GP Sauber F1 Team Scuderia Toro Rosso Force India F1 Team Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team Team Lotus Marussia Virgin Racing AT&T Williams HRT F1 Team
Engine Renault Mercedes Ferrari Renault Ferrari Ferrari Mercedes Mercedes Renault Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth
Points 72 48 36 30 6 4 4 2 0 0 -
Round 2 – Malaysia
23 33
Race Guide
32
Round 3 – China
PAST CHAMPIONS Year Driver Nat Constructor Wins Poles Points 2010 Sebastian Vettel GER Red Bull 5 10 256 2009 Jenson Button GBR Brawn 6 4 95 2008 Lewis Hamilton GBR McLaren 5 7 98 2007 Kimi Räikkönen FIN Ferrari 6 3 110 2006 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 134 2005 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 133 2004 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 13 8 148 2003 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 6 5 93 2002 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 11 7 144 2001 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 11 123 2000 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 9 108 1999 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 5 11 76 1998 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 8 9 100 1997 Jacques Villeneuve CAN Williams 7 10 81 1996 Damon Hill GBR Williams 8 9 97 1995 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 9 4 102 1994 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 8 6 92 1993 Alain Prost FRA Williams 7 13 99 1992 Nigel Mansell GBR Williams 9 14 108 1991 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 7 8 96 1990 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 6 10 78 1989 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 2 76 1988 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 8 13 90 1987 Nelson Piquet BRA Williams 3 4 73 1986 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 1 72 1985 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 5 2 73 1984 Niki Lauda AUT McLaren 5 0 72 1983 Nelson Piquet BRA Brabham 3 1 59 1982 Keke Rosberg FIN Williams 1 1 44 1981 Nelson Piquet BRA Brabham 3 4 50
33 35
Race Guide Without pesky spectators clogging the seats, Chinese Grand Prix organisers are free to be creative with the grandstands
36
Round Round32–– China Malaysia
23 37
36