Race 3 - SHANGHAI, CHINA (WITH RESULTS)

Littlemore's Lap & Setup Guide:


OllieKart's Track Guide:



Turns 1 and 2 make up a very long right-hand curve which leads immediately into turns 3 and 4, a very long left-hand curve. One and two are far more difficult - a lift on entry followed by various taps of the throttle and brakes are needed so the car maintains balance throughout. It also becomes blind towards the middle of the corner. Three and four are nowhere near as difficult but a good exit is needed to gain speed down the following straight and through turn 5. Turn 6 is a second gear, right-handed hairpin with plentiful run-off. Turns 7 and 8 make up a high speed chicane - the left-right complex sees a constant G-force of 3 and a minimum speed of about 100 mph. Turns 9 and 10 immediately follow - two slow left-handers which require a good exit to gain speed down the next straight. Turns 11 and 12 effectively make up a slow left-right chicane where the use of kerbs are important but traction is low. Turn 13 is a very long right-hander which becomes less and less tight, and a very good exit is important as the longest straight in F1 follows. It is the equivalent to 11 football pitches laid end to end, or the same length as three and a half of the world's biggest aircraft carriers. Turn 14 is a hairpin at the end of the straight - the second gear corner is a prime overtaking spot as DRS is available in the run up to the corner. Turn 16 is the last corner - a fourth-gear left-hander which requires a quick tap on the brakes - braking early can be more effective as you can then carry more speed through the corner and then down the pit straight.

Will not be in China! My passport has been revoked in Beijing....something about too much fighting and taking advantage of the ambassador's daughter....still dont know how they found out......

I thought you had a black (diplomatic) passport? Oh well, we will miss you. Your ringer teammate should leave you in good stead if he is in the good graces of the Chi-Coms.

P.S. - According to F1 rules, a substitute driver can race if the primary driver cannot. Points will be credited to the Constructor, but not the primary driver. The substitute driver would be ineligible for F1 payouts.

hmmmmmm.....interesting..... I MAY be able to secure a coyote to get me to the track...

Depends on (really) when we leave from the mountains.

just did a lap and its a bitch

I like China. It's more of a roller coaster. But none of these F1 Circuits, especially the newly designed ones, are fun or easy. Only the classics like Spa, Monza, etc. combine the danger with the fun, with the technical. Brazil is close. I like Hungary, but nobody else seems to.

China is going to be a BEOTCH!!!!!

It is for me as I'm not going to be able to get much practise in the week.

It never rains in China right???

China is usually dry, but who knows with this dynamic shit. The rain may be frustrating, but once you catch on to what game tire is expected, regardless of no. of pit stops it takes to go back and forth, you actually can have some fun and the novel situation seems to even out the field more.

But, yea, hope China is DRY!

This one isn't going to be a good race for me! I've only driven this track once before - always kinda avoided it! And sadly not going to have much of an opportunity to practise it before the race this weekend. Sorry Luongo.

I don't think it's many peoples favorite, the only corner i really like is the last one.

After last nights practice, my TT leaderboard time may be a little optimistic for race day.

But if our Lotus engineers can get Bronn through the race this time, everyone needs to watch for him in their (non-useful) mirrors.

Ok, so I said it doesn't rain in China - been watching the 2008 and 2009 races on Sky Sports F1 channel and... Ahem...! Yep, rain!! And heavier than Malaysia! Not looking good guys! Lol

Btw, China 2009 was the start of Red Bull's dominance - their first win in F1 - Vettel 1st, Webber 2nd - no team orders - will it be the same this weekend? Multi 21 or multi 12??

Rain 2010! Damn!

During practice last night, it was wet in the simulated race/qualy. If that tells you anything. I think there is a 25-50% shot that either or will be wet.

i.e. - All hell is gonna break loose.

LOL - BTW - Get with Stroker - He has a possible offer for you.

Been there. Great idea. For many reasons. I outlined my research and testing of the four cars in an email to him.

Had a quick spin this morning whilst the kids were still in bed - now I remember why I hate that track so much and I should have stayed in bed too!

Ran around 15 laps and was penalised in all but 2 - off the track blah blah blah! Too much under-steer and too many brake lock-ups!! Gotta find me a decent setup!

This track is actually very similar to sepang. Both are Tilka tracks and have been built very similarly. I would recommend you try the sepang setup.

sniper919 wrote:This track is actually very similar to sepang. Both are Tilka tracks and have been built very similarly. I would recommend you try the sepang setup.

Yes, a very good tip as I tried that setup this afternoon and was a bit more stable. I seem to struggle on sector 2 at the moment

Any particular turns?

Turns 7 through 9.

I think I'm trying to take 7 and 8 like 5 and 6 in Malaysia where I could gain a bit of time, but I'm struggling to keep any sort of pace there and then end up going off track between 9 and 10. i'm seeing others take that section so much quicker than I can.

The Lotus team is looking pretty good for China this weekend. Both teammates are putting in some pretty good times. Bronn is still suffering from some serious reliability issues, but after a rebuild of the downshift lever on his car last night he is optimistic that he will make it through the race on Sunday with no further incidents. When asked about the reliability of his Lotus chasis this season Bronn had "No comment...".

Owen, I find it helps to not push 7 too hard. Make sure to keep the car hugged right up against the apron on the left. I usually end up having to lift a little bit once I get started into the corner. exit 7 about mid track and set yourself up to SMOOTHLY decelerate into and through 8. Again keeping the car hugged right near the apron. Im down to 3rd gear in my car by the time I come out of turn 8. Don't try to carry too much speed through 9, as it is really easy to run off here. instead slow down before 9 and set yourself up to roll into 9 in 2nd gear and accelerate out of 9 and keep it floored through 10. This should give you a lot more speed down the short straight after 10 and prevent you from running off between 9, 10.

Of course, its much easier said than done! Hope there was something in there that may help you out.....