Chinese GP Preview

The Chinese Grand Prix will serve as the final 'flyaway' race of the 2010 campaign before a three-week break precedes the start of the European season in Barcelona. In theory, cars' performances should be similar to what was seen in Malaysia although a number of factors could ensure that the field is mixed up once again…

The People's Republic of China first made an appearance on the Formula 1 calendar in 2004, a dramatic weekend in which Michael Schumacher crowned a 7-time World Champion less than a month earlier - suffered a lurid spin in qualifying and team-mate Rubens Barrichello led home the B.A.R of Jenson Button and McLaren of Kimi Räikkönen in Sunday's race.

How times change. Michael returns to Shanghai as the comeback kid this year in a car which does not yet appear to be capable of challenging for Grand Prix victories. Button makes his seventh Chinese appearance as a Champion himself, former team-mate Barrichello will be aiming for a Q3 spot in qualifying and Räikkönen - a Champion elect back in 2004 - has now left the sport in favour of the World Rally Championship.

Generally not a favourite with drivers, Shanghai is regarded by many as one of designer Hermann Tilke's more aloof tracks - more a technical challenge for engineers as opposed to a charismatic playground for drivers.

The setting cannot be questioned, however; the picturesque paddock includes dedicated buildings set in ponds for each team and the circuit's Main Grandstand is one of the most spectacular on the calendar, connected to the pit lane complex courtesy of two aileron-like structures, one of which contains the media centre.

One will now always be looking back at China to single out the race's importance in a season, ever since the event was switched from the final quartet of events to the first for 2009 onwards. Despite its rather cold feeling, often backed up by the weather, the track has hosted a number of vital races over the course of the last seven years.

Renault clinched the Constructors' Championship thanks to Fernando Alonso's victory in 2005 and Michael Schumacher crossed the finish line first to record career win number 91 a year later - his last F1 victory to date.

Lewis Hamilton suffered heartbreak to lose the leading position - and arguably that season's title - by running into the pit lane gravel trap in 2007 before rejuvenating his Shanghai record with a crushing defeat of the opposition a fortnight before picking up his title in 2008.

As F1 2010 descends upon the clockwise, five and a half-kilometre (3.9-mile) circuit - which, by the way, boasts the sport's longest straight - the lack of development opportunities since Malaysia (with no cars returning to their home factories) should point towards a continuation of form from Sepang which, incidentally, could result in a mirrored top two classification from 2009, should reliability and conditions not cause an upset. The team to beat? Red Bull Racing.

Circuit changes for 2010:

- Improved drainage in areas most affected during last year's wet race

Shanghai race winners at a glance:

2009 Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault
2008 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes
2007 Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari
2006 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2005 Fernando Alonso, Renault
2004 Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari

Shanghai pole position winners at a glance:

2009 Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault
2008 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes
2007 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes
2006 Fernando Alonso, Renault
2005 Fernando Alonso, Renault
2004 Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari

Source: GP Update