Melbourne, Australia
Sepang, Malaysia
Shanghai, China
Sakhir, Bahrain
Montmelo, Spain
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Montreal, Canada
Valencia, Spain
Silverstone, Great Britain
Hockenheim, Germany
Budapest, Hungary
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Monza, Italy
Singapore
Suzuka, Japan
Yeongam, South Korea
New Delhi, India
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Sao Paolo, Brazil
Select flag for Mark's preview
15 Apr 2012Shanghai, Shanghai International Circuit
Turns 7, 8, 9 & 10: the middle sector is the most enjoyable. The long left-hander, quick right and then double left are all fun and rewarding to drive. The car feels like an F1 car through here.
Hairpins: there are a few of these on this track. No-one likes them,but they’re part of it and we’ve got to make the most of them.
Remember where your team’s hospitality unit is located. The paddock is a maze in China….
| 2012 winner | Lewis Hamilton |
| Mark’s place | 3rd |
| Race date | 15 Apr 2012 |
| Circuit name | Shanghai International Circuit |
| No. of laps | 56 |
| Circuit length | 5.451 km |
| Race distance | 305.066 km |
| Lap record | 1:32.238 – M Schumacher (2004) |
I don’t like going to China, as I'm not big on over-populated places, so this is a very challenging event for me to enjoy. I don’t actually mind the track and there are some decent fans in the grandstand the size of New York on the start-finish straight, but Shanghai isn't a place I'd go on holiday.
I stay on the outskirts of the city, but the traffic getting to and from the track is still terrible. The journey can take an hour each way, which adds a lot of time onto the beginning and end of your day.
The race’s April slot on the calendar means it can be pretty wet and cold. We’ve had wet races in China for the last two years and it's highly likely that we'll have more of the same in 2011. I don’t mind driving in the wet, as long as the track drains okay.
There should be some overtaking at the end of the 1km back straight. We run quite a lot of wing at this racetrack, so the moveable rear wing should help us to pull alongside the car in front. I’m expecting quite a lot of action.
AS A MATTER OF FACT…
- Red Bull Racing scored their first ever one-two at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2009. Mark finished second to Sebastian Vettel.
- The ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano prevented Mark from taking a direct flight back to the UK after last year’s race. But he was still one of the first drivers to make it home after flying via Dubai, Rome, Nice and Glasgow…
- The last two races in Shanghai have been wet. With the 2011 running of the race (17 April) being only one day earlier than last year, what is the chance of a hat-trick of rain-affected races?
Comments
Richard
POSTED April 11th, 2011
Mark, Stay focused and keep your eye on the the title WC 2011, with your grit & true Aussie spirt.
All the best for a win in China.
Cheers.
Petra
POSTED April 11th, 2011
Wish you all the best of luck for China. You can get the podium, you deserve it!
Sidey
POSTED April 11th, 2011
as long as you’re never going back to that forsaken place Bahrain
wilma
POSTED April 11th, 2011
Better luck in China!!!you deserve it for show to everybody!!!
Rodney & Richard
POSTED April 11th, 2011
I highly respect the time you gave in Melbourne (26/3). Your professional approach when clearly not in the same car (Melb & KL) is grand. We will cheer you to victory in Shanghai from Turn 1. Show ‘em true Aussie Grit.
Rodney & Richard
POSTED April 11th, 2011
Time you took with the people was grand (Docklands 26/3). Supreme restraint in a clearly inferior set up (Melb & KL). Take it to ‘em slugger. We’ll cheer you from Turn 1 Shanghai. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Oi, Oi, Oi!
Brett
POSTED April 12th, 2011
Give it the berries, mate!
Shaun
POSTED April 12th, 2011
We’ll be watching on the big screen in Bali Mark, Lets see your Red Bull over the line first in China!!! Have fun!
Dave
POSTED April 13th, 2011
best of luck to you in China. hope the team gives you as good a car as Sebbie!
lee-anne
POSTED April 15th, 2011
Best of luck for the next race mark. I know you will try your best.
Rod
POSTED April 15th, 2011
don’t let the press get to you, it just feeds the beast! kool head the races and luck will swing your way
Rod
josh
POSTED April 16th, 2011
Looks like we’re in for another inspiring drive tomorrow!
Stevie
POSTED April 16th, 2011
P18 is not the end of the world. You have an extra set of tyres and so you can afford to push at 100% every lap. You’ve already proved with your incredible driving that P3 is attainable in China. Run with it!
troy
POSTED April 16th, 2011
you can do it !!
adam
POSTED April 16th, 2011
The best thing about starting 18th is counting all the places you’ll make up, best of luck tomorrow, hope to see you in Tokyo later in the year, all the best Mark
Paul
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Up against it Mark? Remember Keke Rosberg! You can make it to the business end!! Go for it!!
Jim
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Grow some balls mate and get over your spoilt kid attitude. Your meant to be a pro !
*** Site Manager*** We can only assume you sent this to the wrong driver’s website!
Dennis
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Mark, Do the best with what you are given, we can not ask more of you than that. You make us Aussies very proud with the way you handle yourself. Go get them mate, we are cheering you on.
Dina A.
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Mark, it really hurts to see this happening…
I’m sure you’ll do your best in a very, very tough race!
Your fans are and always will be behind you!
All the best!
Sash
POSTED April 17th, 2011
What a drive!!! 18th to 3rd!!
Stevie
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Incredible driving! Well done Mark – I knew you could achieve P3! I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited with a P3 finish! Absolutely stunning mate.
Edi, Albania
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Great great great race Mark! An incredible race…
My congratulations to you and halfcongratulations to RBR. We’ll see Helmut and Cristian crying like in end 2010… 
Big Russ
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Drive of the round Mark – 18th to 3rd – absolutely brilliant. Being the fastest driver on the track for two rounds running must equate to some success – soon. Lets get rid of the KERSE problems & GO.
MW F1 WC 2011.
PS Love the comment re Seb at the press conference. The look on his face was priceless!
Paul L
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Mark your a real Aussie champ, keep on driving like there is no tomorrow. Great race and excellent finish.
Zac L
POSTED April 17th, 2011
10 out of 10 webby for effort. really brilliant driving
peter
POSTED April 17th, 2011
ABSOLUTE CHAMPION.
Trevor
POSTED April 17th, 2011
Well done Mark what a drive from the back you would have killed them if you were up the front.
Mitchell
POSTED April 18th, 2011
Mark that was an absolutely astonishing drive, the only thing that could have made it one better was taking Seb on the end, wow just wow.
SIMA PLAVSIC
POSTED April 18th, 2011
BRAVO VEBERU NAJBOLJI SI ZASLUZUJES DA BUDES SVETSKI SAMPION
troy
POSTED April 18th, 2011
exceptional performance !! who’s the man !!
Add a Comment
Subscribe to updates and news
- “@jtvml4ever: @AussieGrit making a meal of racism? Not a serious issue then?”YES it is.That's my point.Hit it hard and fast. 9 hrs ago
- “@maxinefilby: @AussieGrit it seems the powers that be must be related to the Contador case! #takingtheirtime #backhanders 9 hrs ago
- Deal with it the next day!! Not a year later!!! 10 hrs ago
- More updates...
GL Mark hopefully Red Bull can give you KERS and at least an even setup to Vetel.. You’re a champion who keeps on fighting no matter how many hurdles are thrown at you. Australia is cheering you on!!