In the seven years it’s been on the calendar it’s rained on the Chinese Grand Prix four times.
That’s no bad thing, because the three dry races on this unremarkable template track were completely forgettable.
In 2009 the race switched from the end of the calendar to its current slot earlier in the year. It’s rained on both the races since then.
Early indications are we could see more rain this weekend – though not on race day.
The teams have come to expect cool conditions at Shanghai and one McLaren employee has already remarked on how surprisingly warm it is there today (Thursday).
That is expected to remain the case for the first day of practice on Friday with temperatures in the mid-20C region.
But the next two days should run more closely to Shanghai’s usual form with cooler temperatures and the possibility of a light shower on Saturday.
As usual we’ll have updates on the weather throughout the Chinese Grand Prix sessions on F1 Fanatic Live. If you’re in the area, please pas on any more information about the conditions in the comments.
Here’s a weather radar for the area:
Shanghai International circuit location
Shanghai International Circuit is on the east side of China, to the west of Shanghai.
2011 Chinese Grand Prix
Image © Force India F1 Team
TommyC
14th April 2011, 7:08
Please rain. It’s the only way I can think that anyone has a chance against Seb…haha.
Eggry (@eggry)
14th April 2011, 7:11
I hope too
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2011, 7:45
Me too, give the others a chance as well Seb! Mabye a mid field start to show you really are able to overtake?
Last Pope Eye
14th April 2011, 12:53
He can.. but hit other car and retire. :)
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
15th April 2011, 3:55
Seb is a very good wet weather driver so I & in the wet & Red Bull is also a good car in the wet so I doubt that a rain will spoil Seb & RBR party.
F1Sidewinda (@f1sidewinda)
15th April 2011, 22:50
My thoughts exactly.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
14th April 2011, 7:13
FOM need better weather forecasters after Sepang.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
14th April 2011, 7:42
I thought the teams used a few different weather sources?
Sushi Meerkat (@sushi-meerkat)
14th April 2011, 7:54
I’m pretty sure they use Meteo France* and its issued by the FIA for a cool half a million pounds.
*Its a French company, I don’t mean Meteo France as in the teams are checking out the weather in Calais.
sato113 (@sato113)
14th April 2011, 12:43
yeah on f1.com each day was shown as having thunderstorms. in reality- all days were bone dry.
VXR
14th April 2011, 13:03
They could try putting their hand outside.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
14th April 2011, 13:07
You can’t charge anyone £500,000.00 for that though!
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
14th April 2011, 7:44
Rain would be good…but I’d prefer a dry race start just to see the old dash-for-the-pits scenario.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
14th April 2011, 8:05
Rain made last year’s Chinese Grand Prix the most exciting race we’ve seen in Shanghai.
Todfod (@todfod)
14th April 2011, 8:25
Yep. I would like to see some pit stop roulette and the order shuffling around a little bit. I’m already getting sick of Vettel just dominating races. This season could be as boring as 2004 or 2009 if Vettel wins the next couple of races.
GameR_K (@gamer_k)
14th April 2011, 9:00
or 92 or 98 or 02. Better get your meds ready :)
Sam
14th April 2011, 9:08
98 was good though!
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
14th April 2011, 9:29
How was 2009 boring? Sure, Button won six of the first seven races – but he didn’t win again that year. After Turkey 2009, the race was on for everyone to catch Button and Brawn when the team hit the development wall.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
14th April 2011, 10:26
Australia – exciting
Malaysia – exciting
China – interesting
Bahrain – interesting
Spain – boring
Monaco – very boring
Turkey – boring
Britain – boring
Germany – interesting
Hungary – boring
Valencia – boring
Spa – boring
Monza – boring
Singapore – very boring
Suzuka – boring
Brazil – exciting
Abu Dhabi – very boring
That’s how.
sato113 (@sato113)
14th April 2011, 12:39
spa- interesting
matt90
14th April 2011, 13:07
Abu Dhabi- last few laps vey interesting
Monza- interesting
Spa- interesting
Can’t remember all the others properly, but I’m sure several more weren’t ‘boring’
matt90
14th April 2011, 13:08
also,
Brazil- very exciting
Fixy (@)
14th April 2011, 13:39
Spa 2009 was similar to Monza 2010, as the whole race had two drivers ver close to each other, and I personally liked both (happy ending for Ferrari).
F1Sidewinda (@f1sidewinda)
15th April 2011, 22:52
Is it possible for Spa to ever be boring??
Coefficient
14th April 2011, 12:08
Yeah, the development wall they’re still trying to knock down.
Todfod (@todfod)
14th April 2011, 12:44
I dont know about you.. but Jenson having that enormous lead after 7 races, and then defending it by consistently by just finishing in the points was boring. Red Bull were their only competitors for most of the season, and poor reliability prevented them from putting up a good fight. Additionally, the most of the races throughout that year were dull, and Jenson’s drives during most of those races were equally boring.
VXR
14th April 2011, 13:11
Agreed. He should have left it as late and as luckily as Lewis did in 08. That’s how championships should be won!
Todfod (@todfod)
14th April 2011, 16:45
I’m not talking about how he should have won it.. I’m talking about how boring the season was. Got the point?
GameR_K (@gamer_k)
14th April 2011, 9:03
Stop praying for rain. Unless there is a pit-stop blunder the RedBulls will dominate in the rain, remember China 09
Sam
14th April 2011, 9:09
And what about China last year? or all the other wet races last year?
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
14th April 2011, 9:30
That would only be an issue if Red Bull have the best wet-weather car. Just because they did two years ago, it doesn’t mean they do now.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
14th April 2011, 12:39
Yes I am surprised at how that didn’t translate to the RB6 given its aero and mechanical grip capabilities.
Doance (@doance)
14th April 2011, 10:05
I dont mind if Red Bull dominate as long as it’s Webber!
Joseph
14th April 2011, 11:06
Same here.
fordsrule (@fordsrule)
14th April 2011, 11:24
I would rather Vettel, as I dont like Webber.
Fixy (@)
14th April 2011, 13:54
To make you all happy, I hope for a repeat of Turkey 2010 :P
Last Pope Eye
14th April 2011, 13:03
Like to see Webber win again
Ben N
14th April 2011, 9:13
I think Seb will be beaten this weekend if the Bull’s can’t sort out their KERS.
I’m really enjoying this season. The only thing that could’ve made the races better are battles for the top step!
BBQ2
14th April 2011, 11:15
Ben N, why would you need KERS when the “tight Kinky Kyle” can make a 1sec difference as compared to KERS’ 0.3?
I am still not clear on how A. Newey is doing this without KERS :(
Coefficient
14th April 2011, 12:12
KERS is more important on certain tracks. It’s all well and good having an advantage over a lap but if there’s a Mclaren sniffing your tail pipe coming onto the back straight at Shanghai with KERS and DRS to use it would be impossible for the Red Bull to Defend
McLarenFanJamm
14th April 2011, 14:07
Unless the RBR weaves, but even then, it wouldn’t be punished
GameR_K (@gamer_k)
15th April 2011, 7:44
It’s ‘Kinky Kylie’. Kyle is a male name :|
dyslexicbunny
14th April 2011, 15:06
Just make sure Bernie stays out of the sprinkler room.
VXR
14th April 2011, 17:10
@ Todfod.
No doubt for some, it would have been more than they could bear. ;)
Still actually rates as a decent season in most peoples eyes. Not least because someone other than the usual suspects won both titles.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
14th April 2011, 19:09
Well the most exciting season I can remember was 2007 and many of the races were boring, it’s just that the results were so mixed up.
In 2009 however we had a similar quality of races, but though the results became more varied, it was always Jenson at the top of the standings come Sunday evening. For some people that made it exciting, to me it was dull.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
15th April 2011, 3:52
I would still prefer a dry race as this will provide us with some good racing just like it did in Malaysia.