Shanghai International Circuit is the home of the third round of the 2016 F1 season, the Chinese Grand Prix. Since 2004, Formula 1 has made perennial visits to the most populous country on Earth, and it's been a big draw in that time - last year, the Chinese Grand Prix drew the third-highest attendance for race day of any event on the calendar.
Of all the F1 circuits whose layout is inspired by a letter of the Chinese alphabet, Shanghai Circuit is by far the only one. For better or worse, it offers a bit of everything: Low, medium, and high-speed corners, an abrasive surface that will punish the tyres, and its signature feature: The 1,170 metre straightaway between turns 13 and 14, the longest straightaway in all of Formula 1.
The Chinese Grand Prix was the venue of Nico Rosberg's first Formula 1 victory in 2012. A win here would give him an astonishing six Grand Prix victories in a row. But he'll of course, have to go through his teammate, Lewis Hamilton - who's won this event four times, more than any other driver in the brief history of the event. China could be another swing of the pendulum in Mercedes' intra-team rivalry, or another notch in the belt for Rosberg's championship credentials.
Another driver who's enjoyed a great deal of success in China is two-time Chinese GP winner, Fernando Alonso of McLaren Honda. Alonso sat out the Bahrain GP with a chest injury, allowing third driver Stoffel Vandoorne to drive to tenth place and score points in his F1 debut in his place. With Alonso provisionally cleared to race this weekend in Shanghai, the two-time World Champion is eager to finally open his statement for the season.
The big story of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend will be the reintroduction of the previous knockout qualifying format for the remainder of 2016. F1's new-for-2016 elimination-style qualifying, complete with inflexible 90-second knockout windows, even less on-track action than before, and no chaotic results at the front of the grid, proved a flop after just two races.
With the show of Saturday time trials well and sorted, the work to continue to improve Formula 1 from a competition and participation perspective is far from finished, and those in charge must continue to try and ensure the long-term health of all of its teams.
However, Formula 1's new blood has really invigorated the 2016 season despite all the controversy. Renault's Jolyon Palmer looked great in his F1 debut in Australia. Last round in Bahrain, it was Vandoorne, as well as Manor's Pascal Wehrlein, who solidified their own F1 futures with great races.
Over both of those races, F1's newest team, Haas, have been utterly brilliant. Aggressive strategies, a capable car, and a lead driver coming of age have seen the Anglo-American constructor finish in the top six in both rounds. Romain Grosjean is off to the best start of his F1 career, in what he believes to be the best car he's ever driven. Can it continue into China?
Reliability issues struck down former Chinese GP winner Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari before he even got a chance to start the race - but the four-time champion should be more than eager to respond with a flourish. Keep your eye on Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo as well - he's finished just off the podium in the first two races of the season, good enough to put him third in the championship after two rounds. Will the more technical sections of Shanghai give him the edge to step up to the podium for the first time in 2016?
All of those questions, including the ones that nobody bothered to ask, will be answered over the fifty-six lap distance in China.
Chinese GP Schedule (all times GMT)
Free Practice 1: Friday, 02:00-03:30
Free Practice 2: Friday, 06:00-07:30
Free Practice 3: Saturday, 04:00-05:00
Qualifying: Saturday, 07:00-08:00
Race (56 Laps): Sunday, 06:00
Picture was taken April 13.
