Only three days of rest and we are already fully in the new Grand Prix of China 2011. And to start optimistic, we left Malaga to fall in Malagon, because the tilkodromo of Shanghai offers a series of challenges that are comparable with Sepang in much percentage. Everything but the climatology, considerably more fresh in Malaysia.
Analyze a circuit of Bill Hermann Tilke is fairly standard: large straight lines where aerodynamic load is interesting, powerful braking where it is good to have sufficient support, and also curves slow and fast, what makes the traction and the ability to change direction with agility are key. Total: the optimal setup pose a headache for the teams. And the cars with the best chassis and aerodynamic packages have much to say.
This 2011, all the usual forecasts change slightly due mainly to the Pirelli tyres and the DRS. The track is wide and has good asphalt, but the great demands to the tires on the left side, that will take a major load faster cornering of the layout, marked differences.
Rain or not, tyres and their behavior will be the unknown so let's roll the cars by Shanghai. As previous experience in Sepang, it would not surprise me see averages three to four stops in boxes, speaking of dry weather. Soon we will tell the weather for the weekend.
To sum up briefly: key aerodynamic adjustment that allows to optimize the circuit with its long lines, their curved very fast and their powerful braking and curved "pure drive". The brakes are suffering but have time to rest in the back straight, more than a kilometre in length. The favorite a priori, RedBull and I hope a new surprise to Renault, while McLaren will be one of the rival to beat do not again have a similar downturn in the seat of Hamilton.
Sepang experience tells us that the goal line will be chosen to allow the use of the mobile wing. However I'm still in my thirteen and I believe that the long line of 1 km is the ideal place. What reasons do I contribute?
First, the measurement seems fairer at turn 13, the curve very fast of right-wing which precedes the long straight. In addition, the length of this line added to the speed of entering the same make cars to activate the DRS speed important, taking advantage of the latter's use of the mobile wing in its maximum effectiveness. If not encasquille the mecanismo…
Enable it on the goal line is clear that it is better to tight end, and indeed the goal line is also very long. It is probably the place chosen by the FIA, will know in a short time.
