Race Preview

2014 18 CHINESE 20 GRAND APRIL PRIX 2014

Following a thrilling Bahrain Grand Prix and last weeks test at the Sakhir circuit, what is fast proving to be a fascinating 2014 FIA Formula One Championship resumes this weekend with round four, the Chinese Grand Prix. The Shanghai International Circuit, located in the Jiading district of one of Chinas most vibrant cities, presents a markedly different set of challenges to those offered up in Bahrain. Gone is the high heat and the point and squirt nature of the BICs layout. Instead, Shanghai offers up cooler climes, two long straights and a tough mix of slow, medium and high-speed corners, all of which test a teams ability to find a good balance for their cars. It is a layout that in the past has also given tyres a good workout too particularly rear tyres. That issue is likely to be exacerbated by the torque available from the new power units and the reduced aerodynamic grip available under this years regulations. Tyre manufacturer Pirelli is, however, bringing its Medium and Soft compounds to Shanghai and it will be interesting to see what effect this combination has on race strategies.
CIRCUIT DATA
SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT Length of lap: 5.451km Lap record 1:32.238 (Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004) Start line/finish line offset 0.190km Total number of race laps 56 Total race distance 305.066km Pitlane speed limits 80km/h in practice, qualifying and the race CIRCUIT NOTES Other than routine maintenance no changes have been made to the circuit since 2013. DRS ZONES The DRS sectors at the Shanghai International Circuit will be as last

The race in Bahrain was again dominated by the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Rosberg might have lost out in the pairs exciting battle to the flag but the German still leads the Drivers World Championship and will be undoubtedly seeking revenge, and a repeat of his maiden F1 win here in China in 2012. Hamilton, meanwhile will be looking for a first-ever hattrick of wins. In the teams battle, Mercedes lead the way from Force India, whose excellent results from the past two races have catapulted them into previously unknown territory. Theyll surely be looking to stage a Shanghai surprise this weekend to widen the gap between them and third-placed McLaren to more than the single point that currently separates the Mercedes-powered outfits.

year. The detection point of the first zone is at Turn 12 and the activation point is 752m before Turn 14. The second zones detection point is 35m before Turn 16, with activation occurring 98m after Turn 16.

Chinese GP Fast Facts

This will be the 11th running of the Chinese Grand Prix, the race having joined the Formula One calendar in 2004. The first five editions of the race took place towards the end of the campaign, with the 2005 race being the season-ending event. At that race, Renault wrapped up its first constructors championship title as a manufacturer thanks to Fernando Alonsos win and Giancarlo Fisichellas fourth place. The race moved to the front end of the season in 2009 in an April slot that has become now traditional for the event. The winner of the inaugural race was Rubens Barrichello, who took his ninth career victory in Shanghai for Ferrari. It would be the Brazilians last win for five years. Barrichellos 10th win came when driving for Brawn GP at the 2009 European Grand Prix in Valencia, some 1793 days after his Chinese GP win. Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are the only multiple winners here. Alonso won the 2005 race for Renault and last years event for Ferrari. Both of Hamiltons wins to date have been for McLaren, in 2008 and 2011. The other winners here are: Michael Schumacher in 2006; Kimi Rikknen in 2007; Sebastian Vettel In 2009; Jenson Button in 2010 and Nico Rosberg in 2012. Vettels win here was his first for Red Bull Racing, while Rosbergs was, of course, his maiden GP victory. Rosbergs 2012 victory was Mercedes first grand prix win as a manufacturer since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix when Juan Manuel Fangio took victory ahead of Piero Taruffi, also driving for the three-pointed star. Ferrari are the most successful constructors at this race, with four victories (Barrichello 04, Schumacher 06, Rikknen 07 and Alonso 13). McLaren are the Italian squads closest rivals, with three wins (Hamilton 08 and 11 and Button 10). Renault, Red Bull Racing and Mercedes have one win each. Five of the 10 events held so far have been won from pole position in 2004, 05, 08, 09 and 2012. Michael Schumachers 2006 win was from the furthest back on the grid so far. The Ferrari driver started sixth. The pole position man has only failed to finish on the podium twice in the 10 runnings to date. Sebastian Vettel finished sixth in 2010 and in 2007 Lewis Hamilton famously crashed out at the pit lane entrance. None of this years rookies have any experience of the Shanghai International Circuit. However, when Marcus Ericsson takes to the track on Friday he wont be the first Swede to turn laps here. Back in 2004, Bjrn Wirdheim was a test driver for Jaguar Racing. The racer from the town of Vxj, took part in both Friday sessions for the team, recording the 12th fastest lap in the morning session and the 17th best time in the afternoon, three seconds down on fastest man Anthony Davidson, who was testing for BAR-Honda.

Chinese GP Race Stewards Biographies

DR GERD ENNSER MEMBER OF THE DMSBS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR AUTOMOBILE SPORT, FORMULA ONE AND DTM STEWARD
Dr Gerd Ennser has successfully combined his formal education in law with his passion for motor racing. While still active as a racing driver he began helping out with the management of his local motor sport club and since 2006 has been a permanent steward at every round of Germanys DTM championship. Since 2010 he has also been a Formula One steward. Dr Ennser, who has worked as a judge, a prosecutor and in the legal department of an automotive-industry company, has also acted as a member of the steering committee of German motor sport body, the DMSB, since spring 2010, where he is responsible for automobile sport. In addition, Dr Ennser is a board member of the South Bavaria Section of ADAC, Germanys biggest auto club.

SILVIA BELLOT MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SPANISH AUTOMOBILE FEDERATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, FIA WOMEN IN MOTORSPORT COMMISSION MEMBER, F1, GP2, GP3 AND WTCC STEWARD
Silvia Bellot began marshalling in 2001, when she was 16. She has been a steward in a number of national and international series, including the, European F3 Open, GT Open, BMW Europe, Spanish Endurance Championship, DTM, World Series by Renault and the WRC. In 2009, she took part in the FIA trainee stewards program for GP2 and F1. She made her first appearance as an F1 steward at the 20011 Turkish GP and last year was awarded the FIAs Outstanding Official prize. She is currently a steward in GP2, GP3, WTCC and F1. Away from the stewards room she is a member of the FIAs Women in Motorsport Commission and also works closely with RACC, the Circuit de Catalunya and the Spanish federation in event organisation.

ADRIAN FERNANDEZ FORMER CART, IRL, ALMS AND LE MANS RACER

In over three decades of competition, Adrin Fernndez not only proved himself one of Mexicos finest racers but he has als o made the transition to team ownership with Fernndez Racing, competed in CART, IRL, ALMS and the Rolex Sports Car Series. Fernndezs career took off in 1992 when he finished third in the US Indy Lights Championship. That earned him a drive in CART in 1993 and over the next 11 seasons he scored eight race wins, 21 podiums and a championship best of second in 2000. He also took three wins in IRL. In 2001 he founded Fernndez Racing, winning in Portland in 03, the first victory for an owner-driver since Bobby Rahal in 1992. Fernndez finished second in the LMP2 category at Le Mans in 2007. He returned in 2010 with Aston Martin Racing and finished third in LMGTE Pro category in 2012.

Chinese GP Championship Standings (Drivers)

Chinese GP Championship Standings (Constructors)

Chinese GP Formula One Timetable & FIA Media Schedule

THURSDAY Press Conference FRIDAY Practice Session 1 Practice Session 2 Press Conference SATURDAY Practice Session 3 Qualifying Followed by unilateral and press conference SUNDAY Drivers' Parade Race Followed by unilateral and press conference 15.00

10.00-11.30 14.00-15.30 16.00

11.00-12.00 14.00-15.00

13.30 15.00-17.00

ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES QUALIFYING All drivers eliminated in Q1 or Q2 are available for media interviews immediately after the end of each session, as are drivers who participated in Q3, but who are not required for the post-qualifying press conference. The interview pen is located in the paddock in front of the FIA garages.

RACE Any driver retiring before the end of the race will be made available at his teams garage/hospitality. In addition, during the race every team will make available at least one senior spokesperson for interview by officially accredited TV crews. A list of those nominated will be made available in the media centre.

FIA COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT press@fia.com T +33 1 43 12 58 15