Chinese Grand Prix Preview
Swapping places with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Shanghai International Circuit now hosts the 3rd race of the season. This 5.45km long circuit consists of a variety of fast flowing corners and these high lateral loads mean that the Chinese Grand Prix is the first time the structural integrity of Pirelli’s new 2018 tyres are truly put to the test. Turns 1 and 2 are particularly brutal, as drivers enter the famous banked corner at 320kph, trying to maintain car balance as the corner continues to tighten, gradually reducing the speed to 100kph.
For the optimum setup around this circuit, teams need to find the ideal compromise between having high downforce in the corners and low drag along the straights. Luckily, the track surface is relatively smooth and consistent which helps teams to iterate their setup, despite the fact that the circuit is rarely used throughout the year, making it initially very ‘green’. The drivers clock 4.5G at Turn 7 for a total of 2.9s and spend over half the lap on full throttle. Pitlane length is 388m, with the fastest pit stop last year taking 17.291s. The Chinese Grand Prix marks the debut of this year’s new P Zero Ultrasoft that teams can use alongside the Medium and Soft, which is the first time Pirelli have bought a ‘gap’ in compounds, missing out the Supersoft.
Th facts and figures behind the Chinese Grand Prix courtesy of Renault Sport F1
Tyres

To encourage overtaking, Pirelli h...