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With a dominant show by Renault and McLaren in China, there is little doubt that these are the teams to watch over the coming weekend. In 2004, Renault struggled to get the best out of their car, but with the Constructors' Championship right in their grasp, they are fighting to the last, complete with a new specification engine that only has to last one race. it could be an exciting event.
Track: The pit straight sees speeds over 200mph, in to the opening corner, a long, sweeping, 270 degree right hander that is immediately followed by a right then left. The exit of turn three leads to left/right flicks and speed building back up towards 190 mph on the run down to the hairpin at turn six. A short straight then leads to the long, sweeping turns seven and eight.
Two sharp bends follow, bringing speeds down before a short straight that leads to the tight left of turn eleven. This second gear corner leads in to another long, sweeping, double apex right hander onto the back straight. Being able to follow cars here will allow drivers to attack in to the hairpin at the end of the straight, after drafting at up to 210mph, so overtaking is a possibility here. The two right handers lead to a short straight before the final, 90 degree left hander back on to the pit straight.
Tyres: The relatively slow circuit in China emphasises the importance of grip, but high tyre wear will stop the manufacturers from getting their softest rubber out for the event.
