SHANGHAI, China - With their first one-two success of the season, the INFINITI Red Bull Racing RB9 proved itself to be quick over a race distance at Malaysia, but will it have the edge in the third round of the season?
Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were fourth and fifth respectively last year so it will be interesting to see who plays the best strategy battle to challenge Mercedes-Benz - the most successful engine manufacturer in China to date, with four wins in the past five races.
Built in 2004, the Shanghai International Circuit features a long back straight - also the DRS activation zone of the circuit offering drivers plenty of opportunities to overtake - followed by a hairpin turn. Rain is quite often a feature, which could make this year’s race, the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Grand Prix, more nail-biting than the last one. Even more so, if the team repeat their 1-2 win in 2009, when Vettel also marked the team’s first pole position and first GP victory.
Sebastian Vettel
Q1: What is your favorite part of the circuit?
Vettel: The circuit has lots of corners making it hard for the tires and tricky for the drivers. I really like the middle sector. Turns 12 and 13 are difficult to get right, as they demand a lot of technique, especially Turn 13, which leads in a really long straight.
Q2: What’s your best memory of the Chinese GP?
Vettel: My first win with Red Bull Racing in 2009. We had a good qualifying, followed by an amazing race. There was a lot of rain, but we held it together and got our first team one-two.
Mark Webber
Q1: What is your favorite part of the circuit?
Webber: The middle sector, Turns 5 and 6, it’s a nice and flowing section and it’s very important to get the technique right there.
Q2: What’s your best memory of the Chinese GP?
Webber: Coming back from the back of the grid to finish on the podium in third place in 2011.
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