In the space of a week, the scenario changes completely from the rocky desert of Bahrain to the giant metropolis of Shanghai, as Formula 1 hits China off the back of the victory in Sakhir. The majority of the Ferrari team, for example, came straight here, while a few reached Shanghai after a brief stop in Maranello. Naturally, Francesco Cigarini also went home, after the unfortunate incident during last Sunday’s pit stop. He has undergone a successful operation on his left leg and is now convalescing.
Thanks everybody for the thousands of messages you sent to Francesco. He had a surgery last night and he is ok. He is now recovering with the best assistance. #ForzaFrancesco #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/e2j4urBK0g
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) April 9, 2018
Shanghai and Sakhir have probably just one thing in common, namely that they both first appeared on the calendar in the same year, 2004
And both resulted in wins for the Scuderia for Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher respectively. The tracks themselves are completely different, as the one in China puts the front tyres under a lot more strain, leading to understeer. The Shanghai International Circuit, shaped like the Chinese symbol “Shang” which means “to aim high” also boasts one of the longest straights on the calendar, measuring 1200 metres. That means top speed and the use of DRS are both important factors.
In terms of logistics, it’s quite a complicated race. And not just because it’s the second Sunday of racing in a row. The circuit is quite a way out from the city centre, which is where most of the hotels are located. One usually has to factor in an hour in traffic before spotting in the distance the vast lotus leaf shapes of the grandstand roof at the Hermann Tilke-designed facility. There’s never much time. But the city is worth a visit, with its strangely European feel. That is a result of the Chinese port city has always had an influx of foreign influences.
Then we have the weather: the sky is usually grey, because of the smog. But this weekend, that could be down to rain, which is forecast especially for Friday and Saturday. It’s one more variable to consider when looking at tyre choice, which skips one compound, running from white-banded Medium to yellow Soft and purple Ultrasoft.
Sebastian Vettel has arrived in Shanghai earlier today, and the Chinese fans were there to welcome him as they do every year ?#ChineseGP ?? #Seb5 pic.twitter.com/3DET2L6TlN
— Sebastian Vettel #5 (@sebvettelnews) April 11, 2018
