Chinese GP – BMW doesn’t want to relive the Japanese GP

The poor conditions observed last weekend in Japan took a toll on the performances of BMW drivers. As a result, Kubica ranked 7th after fighting fiercely with Massa, and Heidfeld finished in 14th position.

The team, accustomed to much better results, thus refuses to experience this kind of situation in China again. It is therefore essential to bounce back even if rain is forecasted for this Chinese event. It is also important to bounce back in terms of the driver’s standings because Kubica sees Kovalainen dangerously closing in on his 6th place.

Nick Heidfeld

The corners one, two, and three are among my favorites in the racing calendar. Generally, I am a fan of this circuit. Although it is new, the circuit layout seems normal to me. The pits and stands are also very impressive and absolutely enormous in size.

« The same goes for a number of buildings in central Shanghai; the skyscrapers, ultra-modern hotels, and restaurants perfectly align with the image one has of the city. This year my family will be joining me on this Asian getaway and I hope we will find some time to visit the most iconic parts of the city together. »

Robert Kubica

« After Fuji, we go directly to China. Last year’s Grand Prix was quite interesting for me with qualifying. I gained many positions in the race, but then when the track dried, we switched to dry tires a bit too early. »

« An original circuit with a very long straight line. There might be an overtaking opportunity at the end of the second straight. It’s very long, but it’s not easy to overtake because before this section there is a really fast right-hand corner where it’s always difficult to follow cars closely. »

Mario Theissen – director

« After the race in Fuji, we head towards Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix. The two back-to-back events add an extra constraint for the team. Especially when the two consecutive races take place in Asia. It’s the logistics staff who feel the pressure the most. We look forward to this race. »

« The size of the Shanghai complex is unparalleled, and the layout of the circuit encourages attack. From BMW’s perspective, as a car manufacturer, but also for all our partners, the Chinese Grand Prix holds enormous commercial interest. It is a market where the growth potential is massive. »

Willy Rampf – Technical Director

Shanghai is an interesting circuit where attack plays an important role. The track is characterized by some very long, high-speed turns, which cause high tire degradation.

« To hope for a good race time, it is important to establish a setup routine to make the best possible use of the tires over a distance. Another important factor is aerodynamic efficiency due to the combination of long straights and a significant number of turns. »