Presentation of the Chinese GP and weekend times

Formula 1 makes a stop in China, on the Shanghai International Circuit, which is located in the Jiading district, just north of the center of the great eastern metropolis. The track was built in the winter of 2003/2004 based on a design by the German architect Tilke, already the father of the latest generation circuits. The construction of the facility took place amidst a thousand difficulties: the route is in fact located on an unstable area and several months of work were dedicated only to shoring up the ground. The design of the track recalls the Chinese ideogram "Shang" which means "above", from the name of the city Shanghai which hosts the circuit.

Formula 1 then arrives in China after a Malaysian Grand Prix which slightly downsized Ferrari while it finally, after the many reliability problems, repaid Red Bull who achieved a one-two with Vettel and Webber. From the start Vettel, starting from third position, took the lead of the race and never relinquished it until the checkered flag.

Maretta, on the other hand, at Ferrari was the victim of gross errors on Saturday and mechanical problems on Sunday. During qualifying, marred by rain, the Ferrari technicians made the drivers wait too long in the garage hoping for better conditions, but the rain increased and so both Alonso and Massa remained out of Q1. Ironically, Ferrari made the same mistake last year too, on the same track!

A comeback race for the two standard bearers of the red, with Alonso however being betrayed by an engine problem a few laps from the end. Arrival in the points for Massa who also took the leadership of the world championship. Smiles at Mercedes. Even though Schumacher was forced to retire due to a problem with his left rear suspension, his teammate Rosber grabbed the third step of the podium.

After the Malaysian race, news arrived on the technical rules side. The FIA ​​has in fact clarified that any system capable of varying the suspension set-up, varying its height from the ground using a particular device, between qualifying and the race is to be considered illegal. Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull, the most suspected of having a similar system, immediately declared that the regulatory clarification from the federation will not affect the performance of the Austrian company.

The Chinese Grand Prix has now been a fixed presence in the Formula 1 world championship since 2004, the year in which the Bahrain Grand Prix also debuted, and in fact the construction of the two facilities proceeded almost hand in hand. The circuit is decidedly interesting, it offers a good compromise between speed, handling and technicality. Pay careful attention to the first corner, quite similar to the first at Sepang, which almost creates a spiral.

Also due to the young "age", there are few events linked to this Grand Prix: in 2005 Renault won the constructors' title; in 2006 Schumacher achieved the last victory of his career. The 2007 edition will be remembered for Hamilton's cover-up in the microscopic escape route of the pit entry lane, an episode which cost him a world championship which he had practically already won.

In conclusion, after three races we can say quite easily that, barring technical problems, the car to beat is Red Bull, followed at a more or less close distance by Ferrari and McLaren. Among the top teams, the one furthest behind at the moment seems to be Mercedes, and the Chinese weekend, barring unforeseen circumstances, shouldn't hold many surprises. Keep an eye on the risk of rain.

Immediately after the Chinese Grand Prix the teams will return to their factories for the start of the European season in May. Barcelona will, as always, mark the introduction of new ideas and developments to single-seaters.

Domenico Della Valle

Info
Circuit length: 5,451 km
Laps to go: 56
Total distance: 305,066km
Curves: 16
Bridgestone compounds: soft/hard

All time lap record
Test lap: 1:33.185 – M Schumacher – Ferrari – 2004
Race lap: 1:32.238 – M Schumacher – Ferrari – 2004
Distance: 1h29:12.420 – R Barrichello – Ferrari – 2004
Driver victories: 1 – Various
Team victories: 3 – Ferrari
Driver pole: 2 – F Alonso · L Hamilton
Pole team: 2 – Renault · McLaren
Best driver laps: 1 – Various
Best team laps: 2 – Ferrari · McLaren
Driver podiums: 4 – K Raikkonen
Team podiums: 6 – Ferrari
Driver points: 36 – F Alonso
Team points: 50 – Ferrari
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Golden Dawn
01. 2004 R Barrichello – Ferrari
02. 2005 F Alonso – Renault
03. 2006 M Schumacher – Ferrari
04. 2007 K Raikkonen – Ferrari
05. 2008 L Hamilton – McLaren Mercedes
06. 2009 S Vettel – Red Bull Renault
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The times of the Chinese Grand Prix

Friday 16 April
10:00-11:30 (04:00-05:30) Prove Libere 1
14:00-15:30 (08:00-09:30) Prove Libere 2

Saturday April 17
11:00-12:00 (05:00-06:00) Prove Libere 3
14pm-00pm (15am-00am) Qualifying – Live Rai Due

Sunday April 18
15pm (00am) Race – Live Rai Uno